Lawyers can advertise on websites but not social media –Says CJ nominee

Chief Justice nominee, Justice Sophia Akuffo has said that legal practitioners can advertise their law firm(s) on recognized websites but not on social media platforms.

The newly appointed Chief Justice insisted that it is distasteful for lawyers to advertise their law firms on social media.

She however, did not explain the difference between social media and website advertisement and their repercussion on justice delivery.

Justice Akuffo’s comment comes in the wake of the suspension of popular Human Rights lawyer, Francis Sosu for advertising on Facebook by the General Legal Council.
His suspension sparked a debate amongst a section of the public and some lawyers who argued that the law preventing legal practitioners from advertising on social media was outmoded and needed to be repealed.
Speaking during her vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee Friday, Justice Akuffo said “Lawyers can have websites and put themselves there but the law doesn’t allow for advertising on social media.”
Justice Akuffo also admitted that there are jurisdictions that permit the use of social media in legal work but she was quick to note she is yet to get more information in that regard.
Justice Akuffo maintained that allowing lawyers to advertise on social media breaches the laws and ethics guiding the noble profession.