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Members of Bar and Pupil-In-Chambers,

I grew up on fairy tales where the wicked witch was always defeated.

I grew up on stories of super heroes who always triumphed over evil.

I grew up on stories where truth and honesty always prevailed over lies and infamy.

Then I grew up. And I learned that wicked witches have long lives, that there were no super heroes (but there are heroes) and that the truth can sometimes take years before it emerges.

I also learned however that the good must never and can never give up.

I have just come from the 5th day of the Royal Commission of Enquiry. Some truths are emerging . Truths that ought to have emerged years ago. But what is important about this Commission of Enquiry is that it has been set up. It gives a strong message that the truth is important even in respect of events that took place years ago. It also gives the message that one can and must be called to account for your actions even years later.

But all this requires the force of good to keep battling even if immediate results are outside our grasp.

You, the young lawyers, my colleagues at the Bar, you have the power and the numbers to be that force of good.

When I look at you, I see hope for the future. I see an eager, vibrant and dynamic group of people full of life. I see camaraderie and friendship. I see a desire to learn and forge ahead in this changing environment.

And what a different environment you face today. You face challenges that are new and sometimes overwhelming. Globalisation, technological advances, terrorism, to name a few. And all the time the burden is on you to keep up, to “continue” your professional development, yet never sacrificing the ideals of this noble profession.

The theme of this Convention, “Innovative, Independent, International” is well chosen and with your wonderful array of speakers I believe your discussions will be meaningful.

I believe the participation from the various States is very encouraging. Personally that gives me great joy as one of the aims of the Bar Council this year is to bring the members of our various States closer together.

I would like to thank the National Young Lawyers Committee, Edmund, Noreen and Dipendra and the Young Lawyers Convention Sub-Committee members for pulling this event together.

I mentioned earlier that you can be a very powerful force of good. You may ask, what has that got to do with our Convention? It has everything to do with it!

To be a force of good, you must strive to be the best lawyer that you can be. Hence, the continuous learning. But it is not enough to be a good lawyer in the mind. You must also be good lawyers in the heart. You do both and I promise you, you will be formidable!

With that I am delighted to open the 3rd Young Lawyers’ Convention.

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