Sir Gibbs encouraging young lawyers to work confidently

CHIEF Justice Sir Gibbs Salika says young Papua New Guinean lawyers should take pride and confidence in dealing with high profile cases relating to the Constitution.
He said this in the Waigani Supreme Court yesterday when a young lawyer representing Barrick Niugini in a case asked for an adjournment as he was not sure about the status of the case. Sir Gibbs said young lawyers needed to enrich and challenge themselves by dealing with high profile cases in order to gain confidence in the profession.
“Be prepared and be ready at all times to argue with high profile issues,” he said.
“I am advising you young lawyers to challenge yourself to stand up and come prepared in the courts with your cases.”
Sir Gibbs said the Supreme Court was the highest court and priority needed be given to the cases there.
“Constitutional issue is the law that guides all of us and if there is an issue with that before the court, lawyers representing the cases should be ready to present their arguments in court,” he said.
Sir Gibbs said lawyers needed to be confident in representing their clients against other parties and regardless of whether opposing counsels were from large and well regarded law firms in the region.
“I’d like us PNG lawyers to rise up and handle all the high profile cases and not to underestimate our potentials by depending on expatriate lawyers,” he added.
“If young lawyers were passionate and serious about addressing issues concerning the Constitution at the highest level of the court, they need to fully appraise themselves when attending to sensitive cases of national importance.”