By Jones Gadama
In a significant development in Malawi’s legal fraternity, President Lazarus Chakwera has awarded the prestigious title of Senior Counsel to 11 distinguished lawyers, with two others receiving the honor posthumously.
The recipients include Mr. Kamudoni Nyasulu, Mr. Ralph Mhone, Mr. Maziko S. Phiri, Ms. Emily Makuta, Hon. Titus Mvalo, Mr. Pempho Likongwe, Hon. Thabo C. Nyirenda, Mr. James Masumbu, Ms. Innocentia Otto, Mr. Marshal Chilenga, and Mr. Garton Kainja (posthumously) and Mr. Alex Nampota (posthumously).
The conferment of the Senior Counsel title is based on a recommendation from the Honours Committee of the Malawi Law Society, which evaluates lawyers’ character, experience, and contributions to the development of law in Malawi.
According to the Legal Education and Legal Practitioners Act, a lawyer must have practiced for at least 15 years and made significant contributions to the law to qualify for the title.
Notably, Hon. Thabo C. Nyirenda’s eligibility for the title was previously queried by the Malawi Law Society due to concerns over his years of practice.
Nyirenda had less than 15 years of practice when he applied, but as Attorney General, he automatically qualifies for the title after serving more than two years in that office. However, he applied in his individual capacity as a lawyer, not as Attorney General, which raised questions about his eligibility.
The Senior Counsel title is a mark of excellence and recognition of a lawyer’s exceptional contribution to the legal profession.
The title is conferred by the President, and it subsists for life, unless withdrawn due to circumstances that would disqualify a person from being conferred the honor.
The Malawi Law Society has nine licensed Senior Counsels in the 2023/24 practice year, and this latest conferment brings more esteemed lawyers to the fold.
The society plays a crucial role in recommending lawyers for the title, and its Honours Committee evaluates applicants based on stringent criteria.
