Chief Justice Martha Koome has today (Friday) presided over the admission of 339 lawyers to the roll of Advocates in an event held at the Supreme Court.
The admission, Koome said, marks an exciting moment for the new members entering the legal profession.
“They are stepping into a landscape where the practice of law is evolving rapidly, driven by the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the administration of justice,” she said.
The admission comes a year after the Chief Justice presided over the admission of 465 lawyers to the Roll of Advocates at the Supreme Court.
She encouraged the newly inducted lawyers to grab the opportunities presented by ICT to broaden their horizons of practice and streamline their professional endeavors.
Koome said that despite the progress in expanding the reach of the judiciary, areas in historically marginalized regions still experience a shortage of advocates.
“Segments of our society, including children, persons with disabilities, and victims of gender-based violence, continue to face challenges in accessing legal assistance,” the CJ said.
Koome said that the swift resolution of commercial disputes is paramount to fostering a favorable business environment in pursuit of economic growth.
“We have introduced a multifaceted approach to dispute resolution, encompassing Court-Annexed Mediation and Small Claims Courts, which offer avenues for efficient dispute resolution.”
Koome at the same time said they will work in close collaboration with the Law Society of Kenya to deal with unqualified individuals who attempt to operate as legal practitioners.
“It is imperative to emphasize that offering legal services without proper qualification constitutes a criminal offence,” she said.
“In upholding the integrity of the legal profession, we will rigorously enforce the law against such unauthorized practitioners.”
Further, the CJ said that the e-filling of cases across all court stations nationwide will be launched on March 11.
“This transition signifies a shift towards a paperless system, aimed at enhancing efficiency in service delivery and extending the accessibility of justice to a broader spectrum of individuals,” Koome said.
