The legal profession is built on the pillars of integrity, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to justice. These values are not confined to courtrooms or legal documents—they extend to how lawyers treat one another in every aspect of professional life. A disturbing trend, however, is threatening the very fabric of this noble calling: the ease and frequency with which lawyers now speak ill of their colleagues, especially in public or online spaces, without regard for professional courtesy or solidarity.
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A recent incident posted on Facebook illustrates this decline vividly. A lawyer, while effecting service of court processes—an act perfectly within the scope of legal duty was reportedly humiliated by members of the public. Instead of rallying around him or defending the dignity of the profession, some lawyers took to the comments section to mock and belittle their colleague. What should have sparked a conversation about public misunderstanding of legal processes and the increasing risks faced by practitioners became, sadly, an opportunity for lawyers themselves to shame one of their own.
Effecting service of court processes, though commonly carried out by court bailiffs or perhaps traditionally assigned to court bailiffs, remains a legitimate and sometimes necessary duty that lawyers may undertake in the interest of expediency or in service to their clients. When a lawyer chooses or is required to perform such a task, it does not diminish their professional standing. Rather, it reflects a commitment to justice and due process. However, it is disheartening that some lawyers, rather than offering support or professional courtesy, resort to making derogatory remarks, insinuating that such work is menial or unbecoming of a legal practitioner.
The real issue lies not in what the lawyer did, but in how his fellow professionals responded. Rule 27 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners in Nigeria (2023) clearly mandates that lawyers must treat one another with respect, dignity, and fairness. This applies whether in court, in private practice, or on social media. To publicly deride a colleague who is already facing ridicule from non-lawyers is not only unethical—it is a betrayal of the profession.
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This incident is just one example of a broader trend: the steady decline in professional discipline and solidarity among legal practitioners. Social media has made it easy to cast judgment, spread misinformation, and mock others without context or accountability. But when lawyers participate in such conduct, especially against their peers, they damage not just individual reputations, but the credibility of the entire legal profession.
In a time when the public increasingly questions the relevance, ethics, and conduct of lawyers, there is an urgent need for introspection and reform. The strength of the legal profession depends on internal unity, ethical consistency, and mutual support. Lawyers must remember that they are members of a profession, not a popularity contest, and that defending the dignity of one another even in difficult or misunderstood circumstances is part of their duty to the law.
“When lawyers stand together, justice gains strength and depth beyond measure.”
Esther Oyeyemi Esq.
We may not always agree with each other’s method but when a colleague is vilified simply for fulfilling their legal obligations, we owe them our SUPPORT – not our criticism.
The legal profession is not obsolete – it is at a crossroads. While internal critique is vital, lawyers must not become agents of the profession’s destruction. Instead, they should reclaim pride in their profession.
Lawyers must rise above the temptation to ridicule or condemn colleagues who find themselves in vulnerable situations—especially when they are simply carrying out their professional duties, however humble those tasks may seem. The profession cannot afford to eat its own while expecting respect from the public. If we are to restore the declining image of the legal profession, we must begin by restoring respect for one another.
Esther Oyeyemi, Esq.
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