“What are we celebrating on?” – Malawi Judiciary and Malawi Law Society remember deceased members of the Bench and the Bar.
The Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeal (in red) entering the Courtroom.
The Malawi Judiciary and the Malawi Law Society jointly remembered members of the legal profession who died between 2009 and 2023. The remembrance took the form of a Memorial Sitting that took place in open court at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Blantyre on Thursday, 28th September, 2023. Memorial Sitting is a symbolic court ceremony where members of the Bench and the Bar robe and sit in the courtroom to remember and honour the deceased members of the Bench and the Bar.
During the ceremony, a total of 17 departed members of the Bench and 38 departed members of the Bar were remembered. The ceremony started with the Supreme Court Justices procession. This was followed by the opening address by The Honourable The Chief Justice of the Republic of Malawi, Rizine Mzikamanda, SC and the reading of names of the departed. After the reading of the list, there were addresses from the Honourable the Attorney General, Thabo Chaka Nyirenda, the President of the Malawi Law Society, Mr Patrick Gray Mpaka and the final address by Chief Justice.
Patrick Gray Mpaka, the MLS President, making his address
In his speech, the MLS President observed that the real challenge in the administration of justice is maintaining the high standard of professionalism and efficiency. He said: “So, I ask myself today and share this question with you all here present and online: if after watching this colourful and public event that client of mine asks me what are we celebrating on, among others, Max Mbendera’s life when I cannot offer her the solution that Max promised at Capital Hotel in 2015, what should I say about us the lives in being? How have we executed our trust? I submit my Lords and my Ladies that this public expectation of high standard of professionalism and efficiency in the administration of justice is the real challenge that our departed brothers and sister have placed upon us all by their illustrious careers we celebrate today. We must face this challenge and find a real solution to our current problems as our best way of celebrating the lives of our brother and sisters gone by.”
In closing the ceremony, the Chief Justice directed that there should be a Roll of Honour where names of the fallen members of the Bench and the Bar should be inscribed.
