AN ACT to amend the Legal Practitioners Act.
Enacted by Parliament of Guyana:-
1. This Act, which amends the Legal Practitioners Act, may be cited as the Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Act 2010.
2. Section 2 of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following definitions in their correct alphabetical order –
“Bar Associations” means “Association that represents attorneys-at-law in Guyana”
“practice certificate” means the practice certificate issued by the Commissioner General under section 39 of the Tax Act.”
3. Section 15 of the Principal act is amended by the substitution for the words “The Chancellor may with the concurrence of the other members of the rule making authority constituted under section 29”, of the words “ The Committee may in consultation with the Bar Associations.”
4. Part II of the Principal Act is repealed and the following substituted as Part II and Part III-
PART II
DISCIPLINE
22. (1) For the purposes of this Act, there is established a Committee, to be known as the Legal Practitioners Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”) which shall be charged with hearing and determining complaints against attorneys-at-law.
(2) The Registrar, or any person deputed by him, shall perform the duties of Secretary to the Committee.
23. (1) The Committee shall consist of not more than fourteen members, being –
(a) The Attorney General and the Solicitor General, who shall be ex officio members of the committee; and
(b) twelve attorneys-at-law appointed by the Chancellor after consultation with the Bar Association.
(2) The appointed members of the Committee shall include four attorneys-at-law each having not less than ten years standing as an attorney-at-law.
24. The members of the Committee, shall, subject to the provisions of this Part, hold office for a period of three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment.
25. (1) There shall be a Chairman of the committee who shall be elected by the members from among the members who have at least ten years standing as attorneys-at-law.
