The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the growing trend of junior lawyers appearing before the apex court without the guidance of senior counsel, using a recent application led by lawyer Serwaa Amihere to highlight what it described as declining standards of advocacy.
The concerns were raised during proceedings on June 2, 2026, in the case The Republic v. The Court of Appeal, Kumasi; Ex Parte CalBank PLC.
When the case was called, Ms. Amihere, who has been at the Bar for less than a year, announced her appearance for the applicant and informed the court that she was appearing with another lawyer who had also been called to the Bar only about a year ago.
The panel, presided over by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, reportedly questioned the absence of a senior lawyer and expressed reservations about junior counsel handling matters before the Supreme Court without experienced supervision.
The court suggested that young lawyers may face challenges in advancing complex legal arguments, assisting the court effectively and navigating intricate issues that often arise before the apex court. It stressed that experienced senior lawyers play an important role in mentoring younger practitioners and maintaining high standards of legal advocacy.
While clarifying that its comments were not directed personally at Ms. Amihere, the court used the occasion to lament what it described as a decline in the quality of legal processes and advocacy before it.
Following the court’s remarks, Ms. Amihere proceeded to withdraw the certiorari application, which had been scheduled for hearing.
The issue of junior lawyers appearing before the Supreme Court without senior counsel is not new. Similar concerns have been raised by the court in previous years, with calls for greater mentorship and supervision of young lawyers appearing before the country’s highest court.
