Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC has urged significant reforms to elevate professional standards within Guyana’s legal profession, advocating for stricter induction requirements for new lawyers and enhanced disciplinary measures for misconduct.
Speaking at the Opening of the Law Year 2026 on Tuesday, Nandlall underscored the critical role that the legal profession plays in society, asserting that it must meet the highest standards of accountability, competence, and ethical conduct. “The rule of law is the foundation upon which modern society rests,” he stated, emphasizing that the machinery of justice is administered by lawyers, which carries immense responsibility.
Echoing concerns raised by Kamal Ramkarran SC, President of the Guyana Bar Association, Nandlall highlighted ongoing public complaints regarding lawyer conduct. “We hear these complaints regularly, and they do not paint a dainty picture of this great profession,” he remarked, suggesting that these perceptions warrant an urgent call for reform.
Graduated Induction Into the Profession
A pivotal element of Nandlall’s address was his proposal for a graduated induction system for newly admitted attorneys. He argued that expecting young lawyers to handle full professional responsibilities immediately upon graduation is unreasonable. “It is impossible and unreasonable to expect a lawyer just emerging from law school to bear that magnitude of responsibility the moment they don the robes,” he asserted, citing systems in more developed jurisdictions as essential for protecting both young practitioners and the integrity of the profession.
Discipline and Continuing Education
The Attorney General called for compulsory membership in a reformed regulatory framework backed by robust systems of continuing legal education. He compared the legal profession unfavorably with the medical field, which has embraced strict regulations, ongoing training, and technological advances. “This stagnant state simply cannot continue,” Nandlall warned.
He further emphasized the need for strong disciplinary processes to address serious allegations of misconduct, negligence, and dishonesty among lawyers. “We need appropriate sanctions that are commensurate with findings of guilt,” he said, advocating for meaningful and proportionate penalties once culpability is established through proper inquiry.
Engagement with Regulatory Bodies
Nandlall revealed that he has initiated discussions with the Chancellor of the Judiciary and has invited the Bar Association’s president to engage formally later this month regarding the reform of the regulatory framework governing the profession. He assured attendees that the judiciary fully supports these reform efforts and is committed to his role as both Attorney General and a member of the legal profession.
Return to In-Person Hearings
While acknowledging the benefits of virtual hearings, Nandlall encouraged a shift back to in-person court proceedings, especially for trials and oral arguments. He argued that physical courtrooms provide invaluable learning opportunities for younger lawyers. “The knowledge gained in the corridors of the court can equal what is learned in law school,” he stated, cautioning that the absence of in-person interaction has weakened professional mentorship within the Bar.
Nandlall praised recent improvements within the judiciary, noting that backlogs in estate matters have been largely resolved and that the High Court is functioning more efficiently. However, he stressed that reform must also encompass the very structure and standards of the legal profession itself. “If we are to preserve the rule of law and the civilized society it supports,” he concluded, “we must be willing to reform ourselves.”
