The Justice and Transparency Foundation (FJT) is rejecting a proposal by the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) to control who is allowed to practice law in the Dominican Republic.
The FJT criticized the fact that the SCJ controls the Public Prosecution service, describing it as a clear conflict of interest, and for trying to introduce a law that will involve all of the lawyers in the country including members of the Public Prosecution service and those working in the High Court as lawyers.
The FJT says that it is unacceptable for the Supreme Court to have the monopoly over all players in the administration of justice, which they say is a violation of constitutional principles. FJT president Trajano Potentini described the proposed law to regulate the profession of lawyer, as “absurd, dangerous and unconstitutional.”
The proposal is for recently qualified lawyers to undergo a two-year internship, take examinations every five years, and be licensed by a commission consisting mainly of members of the Judicial Branch.
Supporters of the bill say that it is an attempt to improve the quality of legal practitioners in the Dominican Republic.
FJT rechaza proyecto de ley SCJ que controlaría ejercicio del derecho en RD