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Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has stressed the need for lawyers to uphold humanity alongside their professional responsibilities, saying earning money should not be the sole objective of the legal profession.
“When clients come to lawyers in times of distress, they place their trust and confidence in them. It is the responsibility of lawyers to honour that trust,” he said.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of North South University (NSU) Law Fest Season 3 at the university in the capital on Saturday evening.
Asaduzzaman said a lawyer is accountable to the client while also serving as an officer of the court. One of the key responsibilities of a lawyer is to help the court reach the right decision and contribute to ensuring justice.
“While protecting the interests of clients, lawyers must also remain responsible to the court,” he said.
He said every client who approaches a lawyer is important and urged lawyers to consider a client’s financial circumstances and extend support to disadvantaged people with a humanitarian approach when necessary.
“Alongside earning money in professional life, lawyers should also value the opportunity to work for people,” he said.
The minister said there is no substitute for study and hard work to become a good lawyer. Success in the profession requires a combination of honesty, professional competence, a sense of responsibility and humanitarian values.
“There is no shortcut to success in the legal profession. A lawyer has to establish themselves through years of study, gaining experience and hard work,” he said.
Describing lawyers as “social engineers”, Asaduzzaman said they have an important role in social change and development.
“If there are inconsistencies in any law or a need for change, lawyers should identify them and offer their views on necessary reforms,” he said.
The minister said every word spoken by a lawyer in court is important. Lawyers must develop the skills to present the law accurately, place relevant facts and evidence before the court properly and assist the court through sound arguments.
Highlighting the importance of training, he said newly enrolled lawyers should be equipped with appropriate training and practical experience to improve their professional skills.
“The government is taking various initiatives to this end,” he said.
Addressing law students, Asaduzzaman said they could send their views and proposals to the Ministry of Law if they identified legal inconsistencies or areas where changes were needed.
“Such proposals can be reviewed and, where necessary, initiatives can be taken for legal reform in the future,” he said.
The minister said young law students would have an important role in upholding the rule of law, justice and people’s rights in the future.
“They must sharpen their knowledge and skills to keep pace with a changing world,” he said.
Asaduzzaman also advised the younger generation to choose the right and just path despite facing different good and bad experiences in their professional lives.
“If they perform their responsibilities with honesty and humanity, they can establish themselves as successful lawyers,” he said.
The Law Fest was organised by the North South University Law and Mooting Society.
NSU Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdul Hannan Chowdhury presided over the closing ceremony, where Aziz Al Kaiser, chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees; board members M A Kashem and Benazir Ahmed; School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Prof Md Rizwanul Islam; and Department of Law Chairman Prof Ishtiaq Ahmed also spoke.
The festival featured various competitions involving law students from different institutions. Prizes and certificates were distributed among the winners at the closing ceremony.