Group Picture of the Chief Justice, Minister of Justice and the newly admitted members of the Bar
By Landing Ceesay
The General Legal Council (GLC) of The Gambia has officially admitted 82 law students to the Bar in anticipation of the 2025 Legal Year celebrations in January. Among the newly admitted lawyers are 41 Gambians, 37 Ghanaians, and 4 Cameroonians. The cohort includes 42 women and 40 men, reflecting the diverse background of the legal profession in the country.
This event marks the 13th Call to the Bar ceremony since the Gambia Law School was established in 2011. The GLC, tasked with overseeing the regulation of the legal profession, plays a key role in admissions, ensuring professional standards, and guiding legal education in the country.
Following their admission to the Bar, the new graduates are required to complete a one-year pupilage before they can be formally enrolled by the GLC.
During the ceremony, Chief Justice Hon. Hassan B. Jallow, who also serves as the Chairperson of the General Legal Council, addressed the graduates. He urged them to uphold the highest professional standards in their practice and acknowledged the pivotal role the Gambia Law School has played in shaping the nation’s legal community since its foundation.
“Notwithstanding your training at the University and vocational training at the Law School, for all intentions and purposes, you should consider yourselves as bound as other legal practitioners henceforth with the code of conduct for lawyers and legal practitioners. It requires certain levels of competence, certain levels of integrity, honesty, devotion, respect for justice, and the rule of law.
“Today is significant also for a different reason, it is the 13th call to the Bar, and our first graduation was in 2013. With the call today of 82 to the Gambia Bar, the Gambia Law School has now produced by today some 703 graduates in law. This is a commendable achievement by a relatively new institution, and the fact that a significant number of its graduates are now international is an indication of international recognition the school itself has attained,” the Chief Justice told the graduates.
The Chief Justice commended the Director General of the law school, her predecessors, the Academic Board, and the lecturers, all of whom played a key role in maintaining the school’s high standards and the strong performance of its students.
“We must, of course, make sure that there is no sleep back on the standard of the school. We must try to make sure that the school maintains its standards and improve it,” he said.
He then congratulated the graduating students on passing the Bar and reaching this important milestone in their journey to becoming legal professionals.
“You are almost there, not entirely there yet, but almost there. The call to the Bar is an important milestone, but you still have a year to go forward with your pupilage, after a year of pupilage (attachments) to legal practitioners, if the General Legal Council finds you to be fit proper persons, for enrollment, you will then be enrolled and entitled to carry the title of legal practitioner. We wish and pray for your success in your pupilage and your eventual enrolment as legal practitioners,” he said.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, who also serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Gambia Law Council (GLC), encouraged new members of the Gambia Bar Association to uphold honesty and integrity throughout their legal careers.
Minister Jallow described the day as a momentous occasion, not only for the graduates being called to the Bar but also for the entire legal community and the future of The Gambia. He noted that this graduation represents a time for reflection, celebration, and anticipation, acknowledging the journey the graduates have undertaken and the responsibilities they now assume.”Today, we celebrate more than just the individual accomplishments of each of you. We celebrate the future of the legal profession in The Gambia. Each of you, having successfully navigated the rigorous demands of legal education and training, now stands at the threshold of an extraordinary journey. You are poised to carry forward the mantle of justice, to ensure the rule of law is upheld, and to safeguard the rights of the vulnerable. This is a noble calling, a calling that demands not only intellectual rigour but moral fortitude and a deep sense of duty to society,” the Minister of Justice told the gathering.
Out of the 93 candidates who took the bar exams, 82 have successfully passed, with more than half—51%—being Gambians. The Attorney General views this as a reflection of the students’ dedication and perseverance, as well as the growing strength and resilience of the legal community.
The Attorney General expressed that it is inspiring to witness so many graduates from diverse backgrounds coming together, united by their shared commitment to justice and the rule of law.
“You are joining a profession that is central to the functioning of our society. As lawyers, you will be called upon to defend the rights of individuals, to provide legal counsel, and to serve as the guardians of justice. This is a role that comes with great responsibility. You are entrusted not only with the power of the law but also with the trust of the people. And that trust must never be taken for granted. It must be earned through every action, every decision, and every case you undertake.”As Attorney General and Minister of Justice, I have seen first-hand the immense challenges and profound rewards that come with the legal profession. The path ahead will not always be easy. There will be times when you will be faced with difficult decisions, challenging clients, and situations that test your resolve. But know this: the very essence of being a lawyer is about serving the public good. It is about ensuring that justice is not a mere abstraction but a tangible reality for all who seek it,” Hon. Dawda A. Jallow said.
The Attorney General further emphasized that the legal profession is not solely about mastering statutes, legal precedents, or courtroom strategies. In his view, it is about understanding the deeper purpose of the law – to serve as an instrument of justice.
Hon. Jallow reiterated that the legal profession requires recognizing that the law must stand as a beacon of fairness for everyone, regardless of their social status, wealth, or influence.
He stressed that it is about ensuring justice is accessible, equitable, and free from prejudice or bias.
This, dear colleagues, he affirmed, is the true essence of the legal profession.
“In the years to come, you will be called upon to navigate complex legal landscapes, to confront injustices, and to serve those who need your expertise and advocacy. My advice to you, as you embark on this new chapter of your career, is to always remain grounded in the values that have brought you here today. The values of integrity, fairness, and commitment to justice. Let these values guide you in every case you handle, in every client you represent, and in every decision you make. For it is upon these values that the trust and respect of our profession and indeed the society we serve is built.
“The law is an immensely powerful tool. When wielded wisely and justly, it has the potential to transform lives, protect the vulnerable, and uphold the fundamental rights that define our humanity. As lawyers, you will have the unique privilege—and the formidable responsibility—to use this tool for the greater good. I urge you to carry this responsibility with the utmost seriousness and to approach your work with a commitment to justice, fairness, and equity,” the Attorney General asserted. The Attorney General then congratulated the graduates for their significant achievement of being called to the Bar.
“As I stand before you today, I am filled with optimism about the future of our legal profession. The challenges ahead will undoubtedly be great, but so, too, will be the rewards. In every legal brief you write, in every client you counsel, in every case you argue, you have the potential to leave a lasting impact on our legal system and on the lives of the people we serve,” he said.
In his address, Guest Speaker Counsel Gibril Bah urged the graduates to take full advantage of digital platforms to propel their professional development.
Isha Jasseh, the top graduate, assured that she and her fellow students would rise to meet the expectations set before them, emphasizing their steadfast dedication throughout their time at the Gambia Law School.
The Law School conferred certificates upon the graduates and presented awards to outstanding performers in various categories, including Professional Conduct, Advocacy Skills, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Legal Drafting & Conveyancing, Company Law & Commercial Practices, English and Legislative Drafting, Law of Evidence, Best Female Student, and Overall Best Student.