**“There is a wide

, gap between

what is

studied at the

academic stage and that what is faced by a young lawyer in

the

courts.”

Since the inception of the Daily Star YEPF, one year has gone by quite briskly. The young lawyers greeted the idea of such a forum with ample expectation. The significant role played

by the lawyers in building a society need not be stressed too often. But what was always lacking was a'voice’ to express the concern, the ideas and thoughts of the young ones to this profession. Daily Star provided us with that ■voice’. During the year, some work has been done by the young lawyers to prepare the papers in relation to law reform, professional ethics, transparency and ■ accountability in the legal system etc. But so much remains to be accomplished.

As far as our profession is concerned, we would like to j see young lawyers find suitable chambers with some decent allowance to start with to encounter the early hard days in their career More co-operation from the seniors is so revered. At the same time the Bar Council and the

authorities concerned should take steps to improve the “ vocational ability of the lawyers which is so lacking. Here there is a wide gap between what is studied at the academic stage and that what is faced by a young lawyer in the courts. The services of young able lawyers should be made use of in the field of law reform. Seeing the same faces of the profession almost at all levels, be it at home or abroad does convey others the idea that experience is of such vital importance in the legal profession. But unless the young ones are given a chance, then where will the experience come from ? We would also like to see the rules of the Bar Council more strictly applied so that instances of malpractice would not reoccur. Seniors and juniors have to work as a team to improve the overall standard of advocacy and to maintain the dignity and proficiency of this noble profession.

At the national level, we would like to see that democratic values are adhered to in its true sense. There should be more transparency and accountability among those entrusted with the power and responsibility of running the government. Signing agreements of vital importance in a hasty manner without

consulting the experts and maintaining secrecy in vital matters involving public interest is an impediment to the development of democracy. To the politicians, we may ask some very basic questions which are probably at the heart of every Ordinary citizen of our country. One day our politicians will have to find some time to look back, ponder and tell the nation how much they have really contributed to the development of our nation since its independence: what standards or examples have they set for its citizens to follow. Do they really believe that people observe hartals to show their solidarity with the political issues (or rather issues created by the politicians 1 ) or they stay at their homes to avoid their person and property coming under threats of violence by handful of armed political activists. If it is the right of the politicians to call hartals, then what about the rights of the people to continue with their normal life ? Why is every non-issue made an issue just for the sake of creating an atmosphere of disturbance ? What interest of the nation is served by engaging students into politics of violence ? Why do they encourage teachers of the Universities to indulge into colourful panel politics which in turn ruins brilliant careers ? Why do they change their views like a flash when they go from power to the opposition and vice versa'? For how long would they resort to superficial slogans and give constant demonstrations of their shallowness ? Do they ever feel that the tolerance of the people should not be stretched too far ?

To try and find answers to some of these, much needs to be done by the young professionals in the coming days.

(The writter is a Barristar & practicing law.)