The Role of the Lawyers in these Changing and Challenging Times

There are countless times where the lawyers are in the front lines, finding themselves torn in between the conflict, risking their lives and of their families and working in a sometimes cruel and dangerous environment just to uphold the law. Lawyers and us who would want to practice law see the world as an ever changing and challenging world.Protection of Human Rights

Here is an excerpt from the article on Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:

Whereas professional associations of lawyers have a vital role to play in upholding professional standards and ethics, protecting their members from persecution and improper restrictions and infringements, providing legal services to all in need of them, and cooperating with governmental and other institutions in furthering the ends of justice and public interest…

War crimes trials are held from across the globe, new legislations are passed and new issues arise from conflicts wherein lawyers take up roles in very important events concerning the protection of the human rights and upholding domestic and international laws.

Recently, the Sierra Leone court gave war crimes verdict to offenders related to Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war. It is the first where an international community ruled on the recruitment of child soldiers. Such achievements will not happen without the lawyers working to conduct a trial to ensure that the law is upheld and the sentence delivered.

Catalysts for Change

The two most recent top bar passers from Cebu, if I’m not mistaken said in one media interview that they wanted to be “catalysts for change” and countless other people want to be. Yet the lawyers have the power and capability to make lasting effects. Such power coupled with a good sense of responsibility can move the nation forward.
Cliché as it may sound but law has a significant impact on the nation and the society. For the nation to move forward, she needs an excellent legal system and set of policies that would serve as foundations for a stable and growing economy. Lawyers have the power and the ability to initiate change in the society. That power, as most of us have seen has been gravely abused in the present but still if there are people who can rid the corruption in our society they are the same people who became the source of the problem. The legal system is a battlefield of lawyers who would like to protect the freedom of the citizens against power hungry lawyers who like to further their influence, protect their own interests and increase their wealth.

On the other note, technological advances would require assistance from lawyers for the protection of intellectual property and new laws need to be passed in order to cope with the latest advances in technology. Last June 14, 2000, former president Joseph Estrada signed the Electronic Commerce Act in response to the growing marketplace in the Internet. Had this law not passed a few years ago the Internet commerce in the Philippines would not have flourished. Nowadays, anyone can purchase products from the local e-bay or even purchase products from other countries.

Throughout history, lawyers have played a vital role in the major events of the civilized world. From a simple domestic case to major conflicts in a nation in most cases politics, from enacting local ordinances to passing a major law in the congress even in the declaration of war or peace.

Notes:

Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (Adopted by the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Havana, Cuba, 27 August to 7 September 1990)

Sierra Leone court gives first war crimes verdict (June 21, 2007) – SABC news (http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/west_africa/0,2172,151261,00.html)