IS SIERRA LEONE PRODUCING OVER-BLOTTING UNIVERSITY LAWYERS?

The Changing Face Of Legal Professionals In Sierra Leone

By: Mohamed Jalloh (Pupil Barrister) and Marie Marion Kargbo

Introduction
The legal landscape in Sierra Leone has undergone a profound transformation, highlighted by the burgeoning community of lawyers. This article aims to delve into the significant evolution of legal professionals against the backdrop of historical challenges and a changing socio-economic climate. The surge in lawyers reflects a dynamic legal ecosystem adapting to societal, economic, and legal advancements. By exploring the factors fueling this growth and their implications, this article sheds light on the transformative nature of Sierra Leone’s legal profession. As the number of lawyers continues to rise, close monitoring is essential to ensure sustained progress, ethical standards, and the provision of legal services that cater to the evolving needs of Sierra Leonean society. This article examines the reasons behind this surge, its impact on legal services, and the implications for the justice system and society.

Shifts in Legal Education and Professional Training
One significant factor contributing to the rise of lawyers in Sierra Leone is the expansion and enhancement of legal education and professional training. The establishment of LLB programs in various universities has facilitated the production of skilled legal professionals. Before 2015, access to an undergraduate LLB program was limited to either overseas universities in Commonwealth countries or the University of Sierra Leone (FBC). With the growing demand for legal services and a burgeoning population, the capacity of the law department at FBC became insufficient to accommodate the rising number of applicants.

Recognizing the need to expand legal education, the Legal Practitioners’ Act 2000 was amended in 2015 to increase access. However, differing opinions emerged among practitioners regarding this change. While some expressed concerns about the standard of legal education in other universities, others saw this expansion as an opportunity to improve the availability of legal services and ensure justice for a larger portion of the population. Although Fourah Bay College remains a primary source of legal practitioners due to its higher number of graduates, there has been a notable increase in the admission rate.

Socio-economic Factors and Legal Services Demand
The demand for legal services in Sierra Leone has been influenced by various socio-economic factors. Economic growth, foreign investment, and the diversification of industries have necessitated a deeper understanding of complex legal frameworks. Economic expansion has led to increased business transactions, demanding expertise in areas such as contract law, corporate law, and intellectual property rights.

The surge in foreign investments requires an understanding of international law, trade agreements, and cross-border transactions, with legal professionals playing a pivotal role in facilitating these transactions. Additionally, the diversification of industries has brought forth complex legal challenges specific to various sectors. For instance, technology companies require legal expertise in intellectual property, data privacy, and cybersecurity, while healthcare and pharmaceutical industries face regulatory compliance issues and intellectual property protection.

Implications on the Justice System and Society
The increased number of lawyers can have various implications, both positive and challenging. On the positive side, a higher number of lawyers can enhance legal representation for individuals, granting improved access to legal experts who can effectively advocate for their rights. This can contribute to a fairer justice system, allowing individuals to receive adequate legal assistance and have their voices heard.

Moreover, the larger pool of legal professionals might potentially reduce case backlogs, expediting the resolution of disputes and streamlining the justice system. However, challenges associated with this growth include the need for effective regulation to maintain standards of competence and professional conduct among lawyers. Additionally, there is a risk of increased unethical behavior within the profession, necessitating strict ethical standards and disciplinary measures to uphold the credibility of the legal profession.

Addressing the Challenges of the Growing Numbers
The legal profession offers a wealth of possibilities beyond traditional practice. Lawyers can explore roles in business, technology, academia, and other specialized domains. Collaboration between key legal institutions such as the Bar Association, General Legal Council and Council of Legal Education is vital to address the challenges posed by the growing number of lawyers and foster innovation within the legal field.

To adapt to the growing legal community, it is crucial to explore new avenues beyond merely regulating admission. Updating existing legislation, such as the Legal Practitioners Act, should be considered to reflect contemporary legal practices and introduce alternative career options. This could encompass professions like legal tech professionals, paralegals, and legal consultants. Embracing technology in legal practice can significantly enhance efficiency and open new avenues for individuals passionate about legal technology to contribute to the profession.

To drive these innovative solutions and reforms, collaboration among key legal institutions in Sierra Leone is paramount. By working together, these institutions can create an environment that encourages innovation and alternative career paths in the legal field, ensuring its adaptability to the evolving needs of society.

LAURETTA: THE UNTOLD MUSICAL STORY of LAURETTA!

LAURETTA  (101 YEARS OLD), THE NIECE OF SIR HENRY LIGHTFOOT BOSTON, FORMER GOVERNOR GENERAL OF SIERRA LEONE:  A MUCH REVEALING MUSICAL WOMAN WHOSE STORY IS NOT WELL KNOWN. Click Link. Thanks to Iyamide ThomasM.Phil., (of The Krios Dot Com & Sicle Cell Champiin), for bringing out the musical story.

https://africanvoiceonline.co.uk/the-untold-story-of-lauretta-west-africas-very-own-vera-lynn/?fbclid=IwAR2wr4TFToFwueITTcZmECVoelODbZ_LtkRmKAOcd4Xta3Y_c0rQy1bCBbg_aem_AWFdMuvxYzEwAzsz7wTEBE52yxHczt1HW_vNmrA8g8PLfRCfsm33zWO9uzT38hHFIKY

In any British commemoration of World War 2 (WW2), you might also hear of Dame Vera Lynn who was an English singer and entertainer fondly called the ‘Forces Sweetheart’, since she popularly performed for the troops in places like Burma and India. Two of her most famous songs composed in 1939 at the outbreak of WW2 were ‘There’ll Always Be an England’ and ‘We’ll Meet Again’.  Dame Vera Lynn gave concerts to the soldiers as part of the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), but how many of you know the untold story of Lauretta Boston who also belonged to ENSA and performed for WW2 troops and did much more? Dame Vera Lynn died in June 2020, but Lauretta is still very much alive and turned 101 (no this is not a typo) at the end of October! Here is the story of the most amazing woman I have ever met, who I thought I’d spend a maximum of two hours with but ended up chatting to for four!

Who Exactly is ‘Lauretta’?

Lauretta was born in the UK in October 1922 to a Sierra Leonean father (Nathaniel Boston) and an English mother Margaret. Her father was a barrister who qualified at Lincoln’s Inn and whose younger brother Sir Henry Lightfoot-Boston became the first African and indigenous Governor-General of Sierra Leone.  Lauretta grew up with her white English grandmother in Paddington, London. From aged 5, her grandmother taught her to sing and play the piano. She recalls that her grandmother would sit her on her lap in front of the piano, holding her with her left hand and playing the piano with her right, having written notes on the white piano keys for her. In 1929, at the tender age of seven, Lauretta’s memorable musical performance was not at a primary school concert like the rest of her peers, but rather she played and sang ‘Won’t You Buy My Pretty Flowers’ in front of the Lord Mayor of London at a children’s charity concert in Tottenham Court Rd.  Lauretta has positive memories of growing up in Paddington as a mixed-race child. Showing me a childhood photograph, Lauretta said that when she was little she was much darker than she is now and everyone was always so nice and made a fuss of her!

Music came naturally to Lauretta and by age thirteen, she had been awarded a scholarship for piano playing at the Royal Academy of Music.  However, she tells me she didn’t enjoy her time there at all: “I found it rather boring and rigid. It was all theory and I loved playing songs that also had a story. In addition, it was a long walk to the Royal Academy, sometimes in hot weather and by the time I got there I’d want to dose off.  I just didn’t bother with it!”  Lauretta’s ‘break’ came when she was sixteen, when she signed her first professional contract for a hit musical at Drury Lane Theatre called ‘The Sun Never Sets’ which gave her the opportunity of working with big names like Adelaide Hall and Stewart Granger.  

War-time Contribution

In 1939, a major upheaval came just as Lauretta was starting her career and the country was thrown into World War Two when she was still in her teens.  Lauretta joined the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) which was formed to entertain the armed forces during the conflict. The nightly air raids were scary and Lauretta with some humour told me they used to joke that ENSA stood for ‘Each Night Something Awful’!  Lauretta was singing in shows around the country and even showed me her little diary which had the dates and places of her performances from all those years ago.  These included performing to the Air Force in Biggin Hill and the Navy in Southampton and Portsmouth.  She also entertained factory workers in Liverpool and Kirby.

 In 1941, at the tender age of 18, Lauretta married Rowland a Nigerian with whom she had two daughters.  He later became a barrister through the influence of his father-in-law, Nathaniel.  The fact that Lauretta still went for rehearsals at the Criterion Theatre on her wedding day shows how devoted she was to her work.  During the Blitz, Lauretta performed at the Dorchester and Mayfair Hotels, after which Rowland would collect her at Green Park underground station and they would walk all the way to Swiss Cottage in the blackouts with air raids going on around them!  In addition to the performances Lauretta did as part of ENSA, she participated in Childrens Hour on BBC Radio regularly and took part in a variety of programmes such as ‘Monday Night at Eight,’ the religious programme, ‘Lighten our Darkness’ and Variety Bandbox.  She also did BBC overseas broadcasts.

After the War, Lauretta lived and performed at the Theatre Royal in Dublin, Ireland for a few years before returning to London in the 1950s.  Lauretta then toured Germany and performed for American Troops there. It was then she met Calypso King Lord Kitchener who also entertained American soldiers.  Lauretta became the resident singer of the Latin American band at Churchill’s, an upmarket nightclub in Bond St. This was one of the top clubs in London, where legends like Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Eartha Kitt and Frank Sinatravisited whilst Lauretta was performing there.  One night after their set, famous Hollywood actor Errol Flynn asked if he could play the bongos and he sat at Lauretta’s feet playing whilst she played the maracas!  She also met Dusty Springfield during one of the cabaret sets.  Lauretta performed every night at Churchill’s except Sundays, finishing at four in the morning, which explains why she told me she doesn’t necessarily go to bed early when I asked.  She said Churchill’s was a lively club every day of the week. The bar did not sell beer and most patrons preferred to drink champagne.  It was a fashionable club where style was just as important as the music and cabaret acts.  Lauretta said “ I could go for three weeks wearing a different evening dress each night.”

In 1959, Lauretta performed in Nigeria and appeared on the cover of the Nigerian Radio Times. She did a series of Sunday recitals accompanied on the piano by Fela Sowande.  Lauretta played me a recording of one of her recitals and her voice was amazing!  Whilst in Nigeria she also met her old friend renowned artist Ben Enwonwu, the first African artist to be commissioned by Queen Elizabeth 11. She also appeared with Paul Robeson the African American singer, actor and activist at BBC Broadcasting House to celebrate Nigerian Independence.

When Lauretta developed health difficulties which affected her throat, she retired from professional singing but still continued performing until aged 95 for Kensington Activity Group. She still has her piano which she has had for over 40 years and an organisation called ‘Help Musicians’ keeps it tuned for her.

Lauretta has lived through twenty-six British Prime Ministers, commencing with David Lloyd George when she was born, to Rishi Sunak, the current British Prime Minister. She has also lived through five British Monarchs.  It was King George V who was on the throne when she was born. Next was Edward VIII who abdicated in 1936, followed by King George VI, then Queen Elizabeth II and finally King Charles III.  What an amazing life!

For her 100th birthday last year, Lauretta received a card from King Charles III and Camilla.  One celebration for her 101stbirthday was when a friend took her for a meal at The Shard.  As we can see, ‘Aunty Lauretta’ is still flying high and she even sent me a photo of the occasion by WhatsApp that night!  I’m sure you’ll all join me in wishing this pretty, witty, chatty, amazing woman many more birthdays to come!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, thanks to Charles Harding for introducing me to his aunt and providing some information. Huge thanks go to Lauretta for providing me with much information and photos on her amazing story whilst we drank tea and ate cake!

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CREDIT FOR THIS STORY GOES TO Ms IYAMIDE THOMAS, MPhiL, of The Krios Dot Com; SICLE CELL AND 'SIERRA LEONE' HERITAGE CHAMPION/AMBASSADOR. 

PROFILE & CREDENTIALS OF AN HONOURABLE MAN-JOHN ANTHONY ROBERTS QC!

14th October 2015

http://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/bhm-firsts/dr-john-anthony-roberts-qc/#.V--SN7jRI-k.facebook

Dr John Anthony Roberts QC 

Written by Ian Thomas25/08/2015

The first person of African ancestry to be made a QC in England and Wales

Written by Ian Thomas25/08/2015:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

And….

> The first known person of African ancestry to be the Head of his Chambers in England and Wales
> The first person of African ancestry to be made a QC in England and Wales

> The first person of African ancestry to be made a Recorder of the Crown Court in England and Wales

> The first person of African ancestry be appointed by the British Government to a dependent territories as a High Court Judge of the Supreme Courts of the British Virgin Islands, and Anguilla, British West Indies.

> The first Head of Chambers to allegedly accept seven female barristers at one time in 1975. A record during that era.

Dr John Anthony Roberts QC was born in Sierra Leone on 17 May 1928. His great grandfather Joseph Jenkins Roberts, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, was the first President of Liberia, and his grandfather, John Anthony Roberts (Snr.), born in Liberia, was a cable engineer who worked in many countries including Brazil, America and in England, between 1891 and 1892. John’s father, John Anthony Roberts (Jnr.), was a Brazilian, and John’s mother, born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, was a descendant of “liberated” Africans, who chose to return to Africa after the Slave Trade. In the 1940s John worked as a Costs Clerk for Taylor Woodrow in Sierra Leone and then as a Civil Servant.

He was fascinated by airplanes, having seen members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Sierra Leone during the Second World War. He came to the UK in 1952 to join the RAF, where he first qualified as an accountant. Later, he was selected for aircrew duties. John remained in the RAF until 1962, serving in Europe, the Near East, the Far East and the South Pacific etc. He was invited by the then Prime Minister of Sierra Leone to work in the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Service, where he worked in the Air Traffic Control Services Department between 1962 and 1964.

John returned to England in 1964 with his wife, Eulette, a Jamaican and their son Tony, who was born in Sierra Leone. John and Eulette were married in 1961. He worked as Civil Servant in the UK between 1964 and 1969 and in 1966, he started to read law, as he said he: “Loves helping people.” He read law part-time at the Inns of Court School of Law whilst working and was Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1969, becoming a Master of Bench in 1996. In 1972 he also became a Member of Lincoln’s Inn.

In 1970 John helped set up Chambers at 9 Stone Buildings, Lincoln’s Inn. In 1975 he left 9 Stone Buildings to set up his own Chambers at 2 Stone Buildings. He ensured that his set of Chambers was fully representative, mixed and diverse with Asian, white and African and Caribbean members. He left 2 Stone Buildings in 1992 when he became a High Court Judge in The Supreme Courts of the British Virgin Islands, and Anguilla, both British West Indies Dependent Territories. He tried many high profile cases, including homicide.

John was made an Assistant Recorder (a part-time judge of the Crown Court) in 1983 and became a Recorder in 1987. In 1988, John became the first person of African ancestry to be appointed a Queen’s Counsel at the English Bar.

Apart from the English Bar, John has also been called to the Bars of 10 other countries: Jamaica (1973), Sierra Leone (1975), Trinidad & Tobago (1978), Bahamas (1984), St Kitts & Nevis (1988), Antigua (2002), Barbados (2002), Bermuda (2003), Anguilla (2006) and Grenada (2007). This may well be a record.

He was made a Bencher of the Council of Legal Education in Sierra Leone in 1990. Between 1990 and 1992 he was a tutor at the Inns of Court School of Law in London, concentrating on Advocacy.

John was a former President of the British West Indian Ex-Servicemen and Ex-Service Women’s Association and former joint President of the British Caribbean Association, UK.

In 1991 he was made an Honorary Citizen of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He became a Freeman of the City of London in 1996, made an Honorary Citizen of the British Virgin Islands in 2000 and then awarded an Honorary Doctorate at City University in 1996.

In 1998, aged 70, John retired from the Bench as a Recorder, as is the requirement. He was 80 in May this year and recently retired from private practice. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and still sits as an arbitrator and remains a door tenant at Warwick Court Chambers.

John is a keen pianist, organist, guitarist and choir singer and a firm believer that “you are never too old to learn”. He loves reading, dancing and music. He is a member of the Guild of Freemen, a former boxer and sprinter in the RAF, who enjoys flying light aircrafts (which he gave up a few years ago).

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https://www.facebook.com/jokaniwascalleh/posts/10154997712760752

https://stluciatimes.com/2016/06/29/legal-maverick-dr-john-anthony-roberts-qc-cbe-died