The Chief Justice nominee, Justice Sophia Akuffo, says she is against the practice of lawyers advertising their services on social media.
She described the practice as “distasteful” which she said amounts to “touting”, which is abhorred by the bar.
There has been intense debate about legal practitioners advertising their services on social media following the suspension of renowned human rights lawyer, Francis-Xavier Sosu.
The General Legal Council handed Mr Sosu a three-year ban for overcharging a client and another year's suspension for advertising on social media.
Both legal practitioners and the general public have since discussed the subject with some arguing that the ban was too harsh and unfair.
Some have called for a review of regulations against advertising since the law against the practice dates back to the 1960s and must reflect the technological advancements of the day.
But answering a questing during her vetting by Parliament’s Appointment Committee Friday, the Chief Justice nominee disagreed that the judiciary was backward in using law which bars practitioners from advertising on social media.
Justice Akuffo explained that such issues did not have much to do with judicial service but are only a regulatory issue which has to do with the service.
“Personally, I believe that dignity of the bar is as important as the dignity of the judiciary, and the idea of lawyers touting themselves on social media is personally distasteful to me.
“But that aside, the law is there clearly against touting because touting is an improper conduct on the part of the lawyer,” she said.
“Self-advertisement is one of those frowned on in many jurisdictions, there are some that permit it, but I have not studied the scope of those permissions. But Facebook, Twitter… at the moment will not fall in the permissible areas. You can have a website and put yourself on your website,” she added.
The Supreme Court judge acknowledged, however, that considering that the laws and regulations within the legal profession are not cast in stone and are constantly reviewed, when it becomes necessary, it would be reviewed.
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