Nandlall calls for higher standards, structured induction and stronger discipline for lawyers

Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC has issued a strong call for sweeping reforms to raise professional standards within Guyana’s legal profession, including stricter induction requirements for new lawyers and more robust disciplinary mechanisms for attorneys found wanting.

Speaking at the Opening of the Law Year 2026 on Tuesday, Nandlall said the legal profession plays a uniquely powerful role in society and must therefore be held to the highest levels of accountability, competence, and ethical conduct.

“The rule of law is the foundation upon which modern society rests,” Nandlall said, noting that the machinery of justice is administered by lawyers.

“The greater the power, the greater the responsibility.”

Aligning himself with concerns raised by President of the Guyana Bar Association, Kamal Ramkarran SC, the Attorney General said persistent complaints from the public about lawyers’ conduct point to the urgent need for reform.

“We hear these complaints regularly, and they do not paint a dainty picture of this great profession,” he said, adding that he doubts such perceptions are unfounded.

Graduated Induction into the Profession

A key plank of Nandlall’s address was his advocacy for a staged or graduated induction system for young attorneys, arguing that it is unreasonable to expect newly minted lawyers to shoulder the full weight of professional responsibility from their first day in practice.

“It is impossible and unreasonable to expect a lawyer just emerging from law school to bear that magnitude of responsibility the moment they don the robes,” he said.

He stressed that such systems already exist in more developed jurisdictions and are essential to protecting both young practitioners and the integrity of the profession.

Nandlall also called for mandatory membership of the legal profession under a reformed regulatory framework, supported by rigid and accountable systems of continuing legal education.

Drawing a comparison with the medical profession, he noted that while medicine has embraced strict regulation, ongoing training, and technological advancement, the legal profession has remained largely unchanged since independence.

“This stagnant state simply cannot continue,” he warned.

Discipline and Sanctions

The Attorney General emphasised the need for strong disciplinary processes capable of addressing serious allegations of misconduct, negligence, and dishonesty among lawyers.

He said sanctions must be meaningful and proportionate once culpability is established through proper inquiry.

“We need appropriate sanctions that are commensurate with findings of guilt,” he said.

Nandlall disclosed that he has already begun discussions with the Chancellor and has invited the Bar Association’s president to commence formal engagement later this month on refashioning the regulatory framework governing the profession.

He assured that the judiciary is fully supportive of reform efforts and said he is prepared to play his role both as Attorney General and as a member of the legal profession.

Return to In-Person Hearings

While acknowledging the efficiency of virtual hearings, Nandlall advocated for a greater return to in-person court proceedings, particularly for trials and oral arguments. He said physical courtrooms provide invaluable learning opportunities for younger lawyers by allowing them to observe senior practitioners at work.

“The knowledge gained in the corridors of the court can equal what is learned in law school,” he said, warning that the absence of in-person interaction has weakened professional camaraderie and mentorship within the Bar.

Nandlall acknowledged improvements within the judiciary, noting that backlogs in estate matters have been largely cleared and that the High Court is operating with greater efficiency. However, he cautioned that reform must extend beyond case management to the very structure and standards of the legal profession itself.

“If we are to preserve the rule of law and the civilised society it supports,” he said, “we must be willing to reform ourselves.”