Declaring that it has been monitoring and observing the advertising of legal services, particularly by persons who are not duly authorized to practice law in Guyana, the Bar Association of Guyana is threatening legal action to address the problem.

In a statement, Secretary of the Association, Attorney Keoma Griffith said there has been an increase in persons offering legal services, though they are not authorized to do so.

“The Bar Association notes, the heightened frequency especially over the past year of persons who are not duly admitted to practice law in Guyana brazenly advertising the offer of legal services which in some instances, includes the preparation of a number of legal documents touching and concerning inter alia divorces, custody, deeds, leases, conveyances, agreements, land transactions and estates,” the Association said today.

The Association also reminded that the practice of law in Guyana without being duly permitted to do so under the Legal Practitioners Act is an offence that is punishable by a fine of up to $500,000.00 and imprisonment for one year.

Similarly, the Association said the advertising of legal services in Guyana is strictly prohibited, whether by Attorneys or other persons.

“We therefore caution that persons found to be offering legal services without being duly authorised to so do and or advertising such legal services will be brought before the Courts to be dealt with to the full extent of the law,” the Association noted.

The Association said touting for legal services is also an offence under the same Act and is punishable by a fine and imprisonment for six (6) months.

The Association also said it has noted the abuse by some Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths to Affidavits of their Commission, in performing legal services including the drafting of legal documents contrary to the Legal Practitioners Act.

There have been calls for the Association to also address complaints against Attorneys, especially for shoddy services provided and other infractions.

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