Bridgetown, Barbados – Prime Minister Mia Mottley has expressed the need for a more modernized approach to disciplinary actions against lawyers in Barbados. During a recent Parish Speaks Town Hall Series in Christchurch, Ms. Mottley responded to the concerns of a resident who voiced dissatisfaction with the handling of a legal matter by an attorney.
The resident recounted a personal experience involving the purchase of two parcels of land in 1984. Despite repeated attempts to contact the attorney, the resident claimed that their calls were never returned. The matter eventually escalated to the Bar Association, but the resident expressed frustration with the slow pace of the disciplinary process.
In response, Prime Minister Mottley acknowledged the resident’s concerns and emphasized the need for a more efficient and effective system for resolving complaints against attorneys. “I feel strongly that the disciplinary process with the Bar Association needs modernization,” she stated. “The current architecture for resolving complaints needs to be more timely.”
Ms. Mottley called for a collaborative effort between the Bar Association, lawyers, and the Attorney General to find a way forward. She expressed her frustration with hearing stories from individuals who feel they have been disadvantaged or prejudiced by the legal system.