BLANTYRE—Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda has likened the relationship between judges and lawyers to a river that sometimes flows smoothly but occasionally rages with turbulence. Speaking at a rare joint symposium between the bench and the bar organized by the Malawi Law Society (MLS) in Blantyre on Friday, the Chief Justice reflected on the complex but essential partnership between the two sides of Malawi’s justice system.
“The relationship between judges and lawyers remains cordial but turbulent at times,” Mzikamanda said, drawing a light laugh from the audience of robed lawyers and solemn-faced magistrates. “Yet, despite the turbulence, our common goal remains the same — to serve justice.”
His words echoed the old African saying that “when the right hand washes the left, both become clean.” He emphasized that judges and lawyers, though distinct in role, are bound by duty to the same noble cause — ensuring fairness, upholding the rule of law, and protecting the rights of Malawians.
The symposium, the first of its kind in years, brought together members of the judiciary and legal practitioners in a candid conversation about collaboration, professionalism, and the ethical challenges facing the legal fraternity.
MLS President Davis Mthakati Njobvu hailed the event as a milestone in rebuilding trust and mutual understanding between the bench and the bar. He announced that the interaction would now become an annual feature on the legal calendar.
“This gathering is not about court battles or legal submissions,” Njobvu explained. “It is about engaging beyond the courtroom — creating space where we can talk as colleagues working for the same justice system.”
Observers said the meeting offered a rare opportunity for dialogue between judges and lawyers, whose interactions are often confined to tense courtroom exchanges.
As one participant put it, “It is easier to mend a fence when both neighbors are talking.”
Indeed, in a justice system where cooperation and mutual respect are vital, the Chief Justice’s words served as a timely reminder — that even when the river swells, it still flows toward the same ocean of justice.
