When Auxiliaries Of Justice Ignore Ethics!

Recent happenings between auxiliaries of the justice delivery system and those who need their services have put certain professionals such as lawyers, notaries, bailiffs and court clerks on a negative corner. Users of the legal system have accused these “keepers” of the law of several abuses in the course of executing their duties. Capitalising on the sometimes public ignorance, auxiliaries of the justice delivery system often tend to abuse the trust invested on them by those who need their service, commit fraud and corruption, delay a legal process at the expense of their clients and even lie to people seeking their legally intervention. This has caused a strain in the cordial relationship that needs to exist between auxiliaries of the Justice delivery system and the public. 

Honesty, Integrity Lacking
Usually, auxiliaries of the administration of justice such as lawyers are known for their honesty and integrity. But, observation has shown that lawyers sometimes are dishonest, which negatively affects their integrity. Some of them lie for a living. Although most of my sources spoke in anonymity, they said some of their colleagues often do not communicate the right information because it benefits them in several ways. But, when a lawyer lies to his client, it becomes a major problem. It is revealed that most at times, lawyers give a bill for procedural fees and honorarium. When the client gives the required money, it is said that some take the money and do not perform the job as required. Later, such a lawyer starts telling all sorts of stories to the client, who may later discovers that the job was never done. Hence, time and money are wasted. When a lawyer is dishonest to his or her client, it becomes detrimental to the case outcome. Dishonesty can cause loss of confidence, which could lead to reduced settlement offers or, worse, a trial that results in an unfavourable verdict. There are some lawyers who deliberately lie to their clients just to extort money for work they are not doing. Some of them are known to call their clients to say, “The file is blocked at the court, and we need to see one or two magistrates or other auxiliaries of the justice delivery system.” This is, however, verifiable. Once such a message goes through, the client is forced to send him or her money, and later, nothing is said about the case.

Breach Of Trust And Embezzlement 
The job of a notary especially when it comes to the sale of land is to ensure that the regularity of the law is respected. But at times, they take advantage of the fact that the client is not versed with the law and collect money from such clients; more than what is needed as bills and at times, carry out fraudulent deals on a land that does not even exist. All because they want money, they resort to embezzlement and lie telling. Information also reveals that lawyers seem to be caught on all vices. Some lawyers are not worth the salt, do not want to do their job, but later collect money from clients and go see the magistrates on how to alter the application of the law. They are companions’ in the corruption process. Court clerks are also in the centre of the vices that take place in the court. At times, they remove vital documents in the case file and even delay in the typing of a court judgment. There are situations when a court clerk can take a year to type the judgment of a case. This usually happens when they have not been bribed to do so. Court clerks are also known to act as a relay between th...