The Malawi leader was speaking on Tuesday in Lilongwe when he presided over the conferment of 10 legal practitioners with the honor of Senior Counsel (SC).

President Mutharika advised the appointed lawyers to abide by ethics of their profession when discharging their duties saying their role is very important.

In his key note address after the conferment, President Mutharika congratulated the 10 legal practitioners for achieving the status of Senior Council and challenged them to be role models to the new generation of professionals in the field.

“Congratulations for making it to the inner bar,” said Mutharika. “This comes with responsibility: promote and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.”

Professor Mutharika observed that it was the first time in the history of the country to have 10 legal practitioners conferred with honors of Senior Counsel at a goal adding that the last time a similar exercise was conducted was in 2008 where only 6 practitioners were conferred with the honor.

The Malawi leader, however, said he was dismayed that many women are not taking keen interest in the law profession in the country.

He further challenged female legal practitioners in the field to strive in achieving excellence so as to deserve the honor of Senior Counsel as demonstrated by Solicitor General Dr Janet Banda SC, the only female among the 10 legal practitioners who has remarkably made it.

The appointed Senior Counsels are Samuel Tembenu, Kalekeni Kaphale, Dr Janet Banda, Justice Anaclet Chipeta, Justice Lovemore Chikopa, Justice Frank Kapanda, Justice Dunstan Mwaungulu, Allan Chinula, Meyer Chisanga and Patrice Nkhono.

They all pledged to protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.