Your Ladyship the Honourable Chief Justice, Honourable Judges, learned colleagues,

distinguished guests and, above all our newly sworn-in Barristers.

It is a privilege to address you on behalf of the Mauritius Bar Association on this

memorable day.To each of you called to the Bar today, we offer our warmest

congratulations. You have worked hard to reach this point. Your families, teachers,

pupil masters and friends have shared in that journey.

Today belongs to them as well, and we hope you will take a moment to thank those

who helped you get here.

A call ceremony marks an achievement, but it also marks the beginning of a

responsibility. From today, people will come to you at some of the most difficult

moments of their lives. They may be facing a criminal charge, a family dispute, the

loss of a livelihood, or a decision that could change their future. They will trust you to

listen carefully, advise honestly and speak for them with skill and courage.

That trust is the foundation of our profession.

You will soon discover that knowing the law is only part of being a good Barrister.

You must prepare thoroughly. You must distinguish a strong argument from one that

merely sounds attractive and remember your overriding duty is towards the Court.

You must have the courage to tell a client when the law does not support the outcome

they hope for. And when you stand before a court, you must be a firm advocate while

remaining fair to the facts and respectful of those around you.

There will be days when you feel entirely confident, and days when you wonder

whether you know enough. Every Barrister has known that feeling. Prepare your

cases thoroughly.Ask questions. Listen to experienced colleagues, but develop your

own judgment. An error acknowledged and corrected will teach you far more than

one concealed out of pride.

We would ask you, especially, to remember the person behind every brief. A file may

become familiar to us through repeated reading. To the client, it may be the most

important matter in the world. Give that person your attention. Explain what is

happening in words they can understand. Return the call when you can. Treat their

concerns with patience, even when the answer you must give is difficult.

A Barrister should allow the case to the determined on the basis of the evidence and

arguments properly placed before Court. Litigation is to be conducted in Court, not

through media statements, social media posts or public commentary.

You enter a profession with a proud tradition. Its strength depends on more than the

work done in our courts. It depends on how we treat one another, how we support

those who are learning, and whether the public can place confidence in our

independence and integrity. You now have a part in shaping that tradition.

The Mauritius Bar Association looks forward to welcoming you as colleagues. Seek

the help of the profession when you need it, and offer your help to others when you

can. Some of the friendships and working relationships you build in these early years

will sustain you throughout your career.

Finally, we hope you will enjoy this moment. In the years ahead, there will be

demanding cases, long days and hard lessons. There will also be the deep satisfaction

of helping someone find a way forward, of making an argument that matters, and of

serving justice through your work.

Today, you have earned the right to call yourselves Barristers. May you carry that title with dignity, humility, independence and courage.

Congratulations to you all, and welcome to the Bar.