Cathal Mullan, trainee solicitor with Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Advocates, attended the launch of the Law Society Northern Ireland Justice Pledge at Stormont yesterday with Minister for Justice Naomi Long, Finance Minister John O Dowd, Law Society Executive Members, law professors and legal practitioners. Mr Mullan signed the Justice Pledge with other attendees.
The Justice Pledge has been developed by the Law Society in 2024 in response to increasing attacks on lawyers in the media and from politicians associating lawyers with the actions or causes of their clients. It was initiated by the Law Society in 2024 to highlight the importance of upholding the Rule of Law. In 2024 the Society President, Darren Toombs, said:
“We see the Pledge as an important first step in rebuilding respect for the Rule of Law and drawing a line under dangerous public comments which have seen lawyers come under attack simply for doing their jobs. I welcome the leadership shown by the Justice Minister in becoming the first signatory to the Pledge. The Law Society will be engaging now with other MLAs and political parties to seek their support for this important initiative.”
In 2024 Minister Long welcomed this important initiative as respect for the rule of law is essential in society. She said: “I am committed to working in partnership to create a fair, just and safe community where we respect the law and each other.”
Signatories to the Pledge recognise the Rule of Law as the foundation of a just and democratic society, commit to supporting and upholding the independence of the legal profession and the judiciary which underpin the Rule of Law’s signatories further commit to upholding six key principles: Independence, Responsibility, Fairness, Balance and impartiality, Transparency and Accuracy.
