Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has urged lawyers to uphold humanitarian values alongside professional responsibilities, saying earning money should not be the sole objective of the legal profession.
“When a client comes to a lawyer in distress, the client places trust and confidence in the lawyer. It is the lawyer’s responsibility to uphold that trust,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of NSU Law Fest Season-3 as chief guest at North South University in the capital on Saturday evening, according to a press release.
He said lawyers are accountable both to their clients and to the court. While protecting clients’ interests, they must also help the court reach the right decision and contribute to ensuring justice.
He urged lawyers to consider their clients’ financial circumstances and, when necessary, extend support to those in need on humanitarian grounds.
Asaduzzaman said there is no shortcut to success in the legal profession, stressing the importance of honesty, competence, professional responsibility, study, experience and hard work.
Describing lawyers as “social engineers”, he said they have an important role in bringing about social change and development. Lawyers should also identify inconsistencies in laws and suggest necessary reforms, he added.
The minister stressed that lawyers must present laws accurately, place facts and evidence properly before the court and assist judges through sound arguments.
He also underscored the importance of training and practical experience for newly enrolled lawyers, saying the government is taking various initiatives to develop them as skilled professionals.
The event was organised by the North South University Law and Mooting Society. NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury presided over the programme.
Chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees Aziz Al Kaiser, board members M. A. Kashem and Benazir Ahmed, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Professor Md Rizwanul Islam, and Chairman of the Department of Law Professor Ishtiaq Ahmed also spoke at the event.
