By BRIAN HATYOKA –

.Mambilima

THE Chief Justice has warned judges or magistrates against tolerating any form of interference in the line of duty.
Ms Justice Irene Mambilima also called for an end to needless adjournment of cases due to late coming.
“No judge or magistrate should tolerate or be receptive to improper influence, inducements, pressure, threats, or interference, whether direct or indirect because each of such vices, serve to subvert or negate the independence, integrity and accountability which are so critical to your roles,” Ms Justice Mambilima said.
She was speaking during the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) seventh annual conference which has attracted judges, magistrates, lawyers as well as a retired judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa Zakeria Yacoob.
The theme for the conference was, ‘Power, Privilege and Pursuit of Justice: Legal Challenges in Precarious Times’.
She said Article 123 of the Amended Constitution of Zambia had created the necessary framework to secure or guarantee the functional and financial independence of the Zambian judiciary.
The Chief Justice advised that the judiciary should practically enjoy the ability to exercise control over its own funds and apply such funds in accordance with its own priorities for the better administration of justice.
Ms Justice Mambilima said the judiciary derive the constitutional mandate to discharge its functions from the people, while people expected it to discharge its functions to the best possible standard.
“As a judiciary, we also believe that nothing should stand or, indeed, be allowed to stand in the way of our desire to fulfil the expectations of the people from whom we derive our authority.
“This remains our promise and solemn commitment. Our only hope and expectation is that all the other stakeholders in the efficient and effective performance of this institution called the judiciary, this pillar of democracy and the Rule of law and, indeed, this bulwark of all our constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms should not only play ball but do their part,” he said.
LAZ president Linda Kasonde said the theme of the conference was relevant and it came at a time when the country was going through challenging times both economically and politically.
Ms Kasonde said in the last two years her Council had been in office, LAZ issued a total of eight statements in defence of the judiciary, not including interviews.
She said that was compared to only three statements which LAZ issued in defence of the judiciary between 2011 to 2015.
Ms Kasonde also said the legal profession consisted of some of the most privileged individuals in the world and it was often seen as elitist.
“This is not surprising considering the odds of becoming a lawyer, particularly in Zambia. It is tempting to forget that we live in one of the poorest countries in the world, where 54 per cent of the Zambian population lives below the poverty line; it is tempting to forget that not everyone has a voice; it is tempting to forget that legal services remain out of the reach of the majority of Zambians. And even if you do not forget, it is tempting not to care,” she said.
Ms Kasonde said the judiciary had a duty to the people of Zambia to uphold the law regardless of the personalities or subject matter involved.
Meanwhile, LAZ has won a bid to host the 21st Commonwealth Law Conference to be held in Livingstone from April 14 to April 18 this year.