Malawi lawyers accused of swindling clients: Law Society probes

Lawyers in Malawi have been shamed with allegations of embezzlement of clients’ funds and overcharging which Malawi Law Society (MLS) says it is in the process of reviewing complaints lodged.

Malawi lawyers
Malawi lawyers

MLS president John Suzi-Banda said told reporters in Mzuzu on Tuesday that they are investigating 400 cases that date back to 2008 where lawyers are accused of duping clients’ of money for compensation while others are accused of overcharging.

“There is a special committee that is reviewing all the complaints that were made lodged and we have special funding to clear the cases,” Suzi-Banda said.

He said the suspected lawyers will undergo a disciplinary hearing chaired by the Solicitor General starting next month and that MLS will be putting aside a week every month for the hearings.

Lawyers will also be allowed to have a legal representation during the hearings, he said.

There are about 400 cases being investigated, according To MLS president.

In critical theft cases, lawyers risk having their licences revoked as the disciplinary committee will be entitled to recommend to the Attorney General to make an application before the Chief Justice to have the lawyers’ licences revoked.

Suzi-Banda said allegations of embezzlement of clients’ funds are “unacceptable.”

MLS has also organised training for lawyers mostly c bordering on handling of clients funds and communication.

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Clement Chiwoko
Clement Chiwoko
8 years ago

The worst culprit is the law society itself. If they are investigating cases dating back to 2008, what have they been doing in the past 7 years. If the MLS is serious to root out bad apples amongst themselves the minimum they can do is at least to acknowledge receipt of a complaint against a lawyer. I for one has no faith in the Malawi Judiciary or the Law society.

Malawian Mom
Malawian Mom
8 years ago

CSO, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS. YOU CAN SEE THE WHOLE NATION IS REALLY CRIYING FOR JUSTICE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING, THE NATION HAVE SPOKEN. THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN MALAWI, PLEASE HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Malawian Mom
Malawian Mom
8 years ago

mwana mulopwana # 12,

I agree with you 100%. MLS NEED TO SET UP A HOT LINE FOR PEOPLE TO CALL WITH NAMES OF LAWYERS WHO NEED THEIR CERTIFICATE REVOKED. MOST LAWYERS IN MALAWI NEED THEIR CERTIFICATE REVOKED.

SOME OF THEM ARE THE ONES WHO HANDLED THE VOTE,LAST YEAR.

HOT DEBATE:

CHINSINSI
CHINSINSI
8 years ago

THEY SHOUL HAVE FIXED PRIVATE CHARGE RANGES OTHERWISE AHHH

Think-tank
Think-tank
8 years ago

It is sad & pathetic that the profession of law is now being held in low esteem by the society to which it serve. Lawyers, please conduct soul searching otherwise the writing is on the wall.

Khima
Khima
8 years ago

Malawians Malawians Malawians why do we keep complaining about the same thing now and again???why do we want to solve the same problem now and again? vuto lili mdzikomuno nlakuti, MLS ilibe practical ndondo meko to gorvern law practice in this country no wonder lawyer aliyense is at liberty to claim or charge anyhow from vulnerable clients. Anthu olakwilidwa ndi ma lawyer alibe a complete logically working process to log their concerns through all to the end kuti aone mathero a dandaulo lake. No wonder nkhani zake zisizioneka mathelo ake. We must have an independent institution to handle complains a… Read more »

wodandaula
wodandaula
8 years ago

Then there is this former lawyer/DPP Wadi, how he swindled a church in Lilongwe of millions, duping it into selling a plot that belowngs to the City Assembly not his client.

Several complaints to the MLS under the president ship of Gift Mwakhwawa yielded no result since 2008.

They then thought the church would appeal to the High Court and be tossed around. instead the case has been committed to God, the almighty who is able to smoke out his enemies from their hiding places.

Warning to lawyers of similar type, Woe unto You!!!!!!!

Samuel Lwara.
Samuel Lwara.
8 years ago

All of them are very very rich and above any Law within the Republic of Malawi constitution. May God bless them in whatever they do onto the under privileged. I wished I were one of them.

Namate
Namate
8 years ago

The comments that i have read shows that all Lawyers are crooks and corrupt. Let us borrow aleaf from RSA where a police shot a civilian , The police body excused itself from investigation and called for an Independent body to do the work so that the results of investigation should be accepted by the society. Like wise MLS should not be involved in this issue Let us have an independent body who should do this job, you can see that all everyone see MLS will shield their friends. If You guys are intelligent enough you should hear the cry… Read more »

Ombewe a mu Blantyre
Ombewe a mu Blantyre
8 years ago

i doubt if there will be any progress on these investigations,pachilungamo chake ndichokuti sizophweka kulanda licence ya a fellow lawyer okuti munali mu class imodzi,mumachezelana,mumamwera limodzi.Pa Malawi pano ma lawyer ambili ndikhalidwe lawo limeneli,nanji iyeyu uyu,,nde wazidya zambili

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