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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Supporters of the bill say that it is an attempt to improve the quality of legal practitioners in the Dominican Republic. <\/p>\n