The Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) opened its Leadership and Strategic Planning Retreat this week in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, with strong calls for reform, integrity, and institutional investment from both the judiciary and the Bar.
In his introductory address on August 20, LNBA National President Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah emphasized the strategic importance of the retreat, framing it as a pivotal moment for the legal profession in Liberia.
“This retreat marks a moment of reflection, planning, and reaffirmation of our commitment to the rule of law,” Cllr. Varmah said.
He outlined the Bar’s ambitious agenda, which includes the adoption of a National Welfare Policy, approval of a three-year Strategic Plan, and creation of clear policies governing both domestic and international travel for members.
“These are not just administrative tasks. They are essential to building a transparent, efficient, and forward-thinking Bar Association,” he added.
Cllr. Varmah also thanked international partners, including the UNDP and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), for their continued support to the LNBA and its democratic, justice-centered mission.
Delivering his first formal remarks as Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia on August 21, His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeissay made a passionate appeal to legal professionals to restore ethical discipline, improve continuing legal education, and build a modern national Bar headquarters worthy of Liberia’s legacy.
“We must recommit ourselves to upholding the rule of law and advancing the interest of our profession,” the Chief Justice said, cautioning that without professional ethics and discipline, the legal system risks further decline.
He expressed deep concern over unethical practices by some lawyers, including fabricating evidence and obstructing judicial processes. “We must take our ethics seriously.
Lawyers are engaging in what they are not supposed to be doing. This must stop,” he declared.
The Chief Justice also called for the relocation of continuing legal education (CLE) responsibilities to the Judicial Institute, suggesting this would enhance the quality and impact of training.
He criticized the current system, where attorneys often skip educational sessions or fail to internalize critical legal principles.
“You will soon be where we are,” he warned junior lawyers. “Many come to court unprepared. They can’t find their arguments, or they ask for more time to locate them. This is unacceptable.”
Liberia’s Bar Needs a Home, Says Chief Justice
In one of the most compelling moments of his speech, the Chief Justice recounted his recent visit to the Zambian Law Society’s headquarters, a modern; three-story building that serves as both a professional hub and a revenue-generating property.
“They told me that the Liberian National Bar Association is the oldest Bar in Africa,” he said. “Yet we do not have a permanent home. That is something we must change.”
He pledged his personal support-both institutionally and financially-to help the LNBA construct a headquarters that reflects its history and stature. “Before I retire, I hope to see this vision become reality.”
A Time for Unity and Reform
Both the Chief Justice and Cllr. Varmah underscored the need for unity, professionalism, and collaboration between the Bar and the Bench, especially at a time when Liberia faces complex legal, political, and governance challenges.
“As custodians of the law, we must hold ourselves to the same standards we expect of others,” the Chief Justice said, adding, “This is a country of laws-not of men.”
As deliberations continue over the retreat’s two-day period, legal professionals are expected to tackle a range of pressing issues, from access to justice and professional accountability to welfare, education, and institutional development.
The LNBA retreat is seen as a critical step in repositioning the legal profession to better serve the Liberian people and uphold the rule of law in an increasingly complex democratic environment.
