IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND CONDUCT

Dear Esteemed Member,

Hope this email finds you in a good health.

It is well known that the legal profession is recognized as being the noble profession in the world. As lawyers, we are expected to act ethically and in our undertaking, we are called to place the interest of our clients above our own while striving to promote and defend the Rule of Law.

Besides, as legal professionals we are expected to act with high professional standards and conduct while accomplishing our duties. If any of us does not act professionally, the integrity of the whole professional is compromised.

The TLS Ethics Committee has observed with concerns that of late there has been an increase on the complaints by clients against advocates for misconduct. Some of these misconducts include but are not limited to fraud, misappropriation or dealing dishonestly with client’s monies, Champerty, arrogance, poor service delivery, undercutting, etc.

THE COMMITTEE THEREFORE, KINDLY REMIND ALL TLS MEMBERS to adhere to Advocates (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Regulations 2018 including Tanganyika Law Society (Ethics) Regulations 2022 and other relevant laws and regulations that govern advocates.

The Committee will not tolerate any kind of professional misconduct from its members, and severe sanctions will be imposed on those found to act unprofessionally and unethically.

The Committee will continue to observe the behavior of advocates from Advocates’ WhatsApp groups, social media and anywhere where an advocate is expected to conduct himself/herself as an advocate. Further, from now the Committee will issue in quarterly basis a list defaulters and advocates who have been sanctioned before the Committee to all advocates’ platforms.

Let each of us act as a gatekeeper for ethical and professional conduct. In case of any ethical complaints please follow available procedures as set out under the Regulations or report to Mr. Rashid Mbegele at 0779-626296 or write to rmbegele@tls.or.tz.

Thank you for your continued support and zeal to act ethically and professionally.

Regards,

|Tanganyika Law Society Secretariat