Young Lawyers & Dishonesty - The Stats - 2007/06/07 18:11I refer to the recent controversy about dishonest lawyers and in particular the disparaging views made about young lawyers, dishonesty and the call for tighter rules to prevent further abuses.
In order to correct this perception (that young lawyers require tougher and more stringent rules to prevent further abuses allegedly committed by them), and the impression that these young lawyers are more dishonest compared to the “not-so-young” lawyers, I would like to list below the statistics obtained from the Bar Council (as at May 2007) on the categories of lawyers struck off, suspended under sections 88A and 94(4).
For the purposes of my views, I have taken young lawyers to be below 7 years in practice.
Struck Off
7 years and above - 201 lawyers 7 years and below - 15 lawyers
Suspended under Section 88A, 94(4) and Temporary Suspension
7 years and above - 233 lawyers 7 years and below- 31 lawyers
I hope these above statistics would go a long way to correct the fetid impression that:
(a) young lawyers are more prone to be dishonest;
(b) that we allegedly need tighter rules to reign these young lawyers in
My view, from the very start of this controversy, is that young lawyers are not the cause of dishonesty but are indeed caused by dishonest lawyers. I welcome rules to further safeguard the profession to prevent dishonesty but, if at all such rules are deemed necessary, it should be across the board and not at the expense of young lawyers.
The faster we all realize this the better it would be to safeguard this profession. I dont wish to sound garrolous, but anything less only confirms the view that there may be other motives behind such statements.
Many thanks H R Dipendra
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Let us hope this teaches some of these lawyers that go about shooting opinions from the hip in the media without a trace of fact to be more circumspect, intelligent and factual with their 'media opinions'. Let us hope that they understand that just because there's a microphone in their face they do not necessarily have to give a comment; that when they don't know what they are talking about the best thing they can do is shut up."Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider." Francis Bacon
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Rishwant Singh a/l Amarjeet Singh
User Fresh Forumer
Posts: 29
Re:Young Lawyers & Dishonesty - The Stats - 2007/06/07 19:57Here are some quotes on statistics:-
- "Torture numbers, and they'll confess to anything". ~Gregg Easterbrook
- 98% of all statistics are made up. ~Author Unknown
- Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable. ~Bobby Bragan, 1963
- Statistics can be made to prove anything - even the truth. ~Author Unknown
- He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lampposts - for support rather than for illumination. ~Andrew Lang
- Do not put your faith in what statistics say until you have carefully considered what they do not say. ~William W. Watt
- Then there is the man who drowned crossing a stream with an average depth of six inches. ~W.I.E. Gates
- Satan delights equally in statistics and in quoting scripture.... ~H.G. Wells, The Undying Fire
- The average human has one breast and one testicle. ~Des McHale
- Averages don't always reveal the most telling realities. You know, Shaquille O'Neal and I have an average height of 6 feet. ~ U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich ( He is 4' 10" tall? whereas US basketball star Shaquille O’Neal is 7’1” tall! )
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Noreen Ahmad Ariff
User Fresh Forumer
Posts: 17
Re:Young Lawyers & Dishonesty - The Stats - 2007/06/07 20:18Terlajak perahu boleh diundur, terlajak kata buruk padahnya. ( you can reverse other acts but a wrong verbal act can kill you).
I hope all of us, YOUNG LAWYERS and the NOT SO YOUNG LAWYERS will learn something from this.
Noreen Ahmad AriffWhen you cannot speak your mind, speak your heart. :-D
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Thank you for the edifying list of quotes on statistics.
I have to ask you- was your choice of quotes on statistics intentional?
many thanks Dipendra
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Richard Wee Thiam Seng
User Junior Forumer
Posts: 178
Re:Young Lawyers & Dishonesty - The Stats - 2007/06/08 01:50A dishonest lawyer is not necessarily a young lawyer. Dishonesty is due to one's character, principles and/or attitude.
The statistics given in Dipen's posting confirms that there are some renegade lawyers walking among us. It matters NOT if they are young/old/senior etc etc. What matters is what we can do, should do and ought to do.
The recent outbursts by not just one lawyer, commenting of ways to check and keep an eye on younger members of the Bar who are setting up each own's firm; was definately regretabble and in some ways insulting to the younger lawyers.
Some people will say - 'buta-buta' the young lawyers 'kena'!
The recent incident shows that lawyers, one of whom i re-called was a leader of some religous-based lawyers association, should be more responsible before shooting off the hip.
Dato Shafee, had mentioned to me that he was misquoted. Surely ALL the other lawyers who were suddenly concern on how the young lawyers runs each own firm; cannot also be misquoted??
At the end of the day - to me, the issue is - what are we lawyers going to do about this?
It's OUR profession, and (in a heavily use phrase last year) our 'rice bowl'.
Are we going to just let this issue die down?
OR
Are we going to stand up and be counted? Be responsible? Not be seduced by the quick buck? Not misled client? Are we all going to be honest lawyers?
Our profession is such that whilst we may be the most honest and responsible chap, but it takes ONE renegade lawyer, to spoil it all. We are in this together, and we must start doing the RIGHT things together!
richard wee
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Rishwant Singh a/l Amarjeet Singh
User Fresh Forumer
Posts: 29
Re:Young Lawyers & Dishonesty - The Stats - 2007/06/08 10:52Dipen, I do not usually engage in conversations on public forums but not to do so in this instance might be construed (wrongly) as deliberate or rude. To be honest, I do not understand your question. I cannot possibly say it was 'unintentional' can I? We can speak over the phone if you wish.
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Circular No: 7/2008 - Palestine Humanitarian Fund
