BFTU's Keitsing chides lawyers

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Thursday January 27, 2011 00:00

Speaking at a conference organised by the Industrial Court, the union leader said that he has observed with concern that 'a lot of lawyers do not volunteer. Even when we ask them to do a paper on labour relations, they want to charge exorbitant fees,' he said.

He also added that most lawyers in private practice are so much into making money that they would not advise a client against litigating even if they know that the client's case is very weak. 'Because they just want to make money. But of late I think there is an improvement. Most of the people who bring dead cases are advised on what to do to resolve the case, instead of following the court route, which looks bad against them. Perhaps there is a new breed of lawyers who feel that it is necessary to advise clients not to waste their money in cases that are unwinnable,' he said.

Meanwhile Keitseng said Industrial Court judges have played a pivotal role in shaping the Botswana labour relations and law, which he said have developed immensely.