Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC has raised alarm over a growing problem of unqualified and uncertified individuals fraudulently representing themselves as lawyers and offering legal services to unsuspecting citizens.
Speaking during his weekly ‘Issues in the News’ commentary on Tuesday night, Nandlall vowed that stricter penalties will soon be implemented to sanction those engaged in such fraudulent practices.
“We can’t continue to have these fraudulent misrepresentations taking place… actions will be taken, laws will be strengthened to address this situation,” Nandlall said.
The Attorney General emphasized that such fraudulent actions are not merely illegal but lead to severe hardship for individuals seeking legitimate legal services. Many citizens have lost their properties, money, or personal liberties after engaging with unqualified individuals posing as lawyers.
Given the scale of the problem, Nandlall said he has been tasked with clamping down on the situation and protecting the public from further exploitation.
Beyond addressing fraudulent practitioners, Nandlall indicated that the mechanism to hold qualified lawyers more accountable will also be reviewed, signalling a broader effort to strengthen the legal profession’s oversight.
The Attorney General’s announcement follows months of discussion about the need for systemic reforms within the legal profession. In January, at the opening of the 2026 Law Year, President of the Bar Association of Guyana Kamal Ramkarran SC called for urgent reform of the disciplinary system governing lawyers.
Ramkarran warned that accountability must apply not only to judges but also to attorneys whose conduct contributes to prolonged court delays and inefficiencies within the justice system.
Ramkarran also highlighted critical gaps in the profession’s oversight mechanisms. Guyana currently has no system of mandatory continuing legal education, meaning attorneys can technically practice for decades without ever updating their legal knowledge after law school.
More alarming, Ramkarran revealed that no lawyer has been suspended or struck off the roll under court rules in over 25 years, and possibly much longer—a situation he described as concerning given the cumbersome and ineffective nature of the disciplinary process.
These issues collectively point to a legal profession in need of significant structural reform to ensure public protection and professional accountability.
