SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA (LAZ) ON THE OCCASION OF THE VALEDICTORY SESSION OF THE SUPREME COURT IN HONOUR OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA DR. LEVY PATRICK MWANAWASA, STATE COUNSEL TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 2008.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT
THE FIRST LADY
MY LORD, THE CHIEF JUSTICE;
FORMER CHIEFS JUSTICE SILUNGWE AND NGULUBE;
MY LADY, THE DEPUTY CHIEF JUSTICE;
MY LORDS, MY LADIES JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT, HIGH COURT AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COURT;
ATTORNEY GENERAL;
THE SOLICITOR GENERAL;
THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR-JUDICIARY;
LEARNED DEPUTY ASSISTANT REGISTRARS;
DEPUTY REGISTRARS;
MAGISTRATES;
PRESIDENT PAN AFRICAN LAWYERS UNION
STATE COUNSEL, PRESENT, SENIOR COUNSEL, LEARNED
SERVICE CHIEFS;
FRIENDS; AND
DISTINGUISHED INVITED GUESTS.

The 19th day of August 2008 was indeed a very dark day in the Country of Zambia and more so in the Legal Profession.
This was the day on which an illustrious personality of our profession was called to be with the Lord.
Today we attend before this Honourable Court in special session to honour our member His Excellency Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, S.C.

On behalf of the Council and the entire membership of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and, indeed, on my own behalf, I wish to extend our profound condolences to the family of the Late President especially to the First Lady, Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa who is also a member of the Law Association of Zambia.
The Death of Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, S.C, has not only shocked the Legal Profession in Zambia but also the profession in the region and in particular the South African Development Community Lawyers Association (SADCLA) to which LAZ affiliates.
Allow me therefore to convey the condolences from the President of the SADC Lawyers Association Mr. Mabvuto Herbert Hara who states in his letter,
“ To us as a profession, the Late President Mwanawasa who was until his death a member of the Law Association of Zambia was a colleague we were proud of. He inspired many colleagues younger than him in the profession”.
On the continent of Africa, the Law Association of Zambia is a member of the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU). This Association deemed it fit on 2nd June 2006 to confer the Late President with Life Membership of PALU in recognition and appreciation of his contributions towards the development of the Legal Profession, Rule of Law and Governance in general.
Allow me therefore to convey similar condolences from the President and Council of PALU who is also in attendance before this Honourable Court.

My Lords, My Ladies since his call to the Bar in 1975, Late Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, S.C, had practiced Law and has attained high achievements which include his election to serve as Vice Chairman of the Law Association of Zambia in 1982.
He also served as Solicitor General for the Republic of Zambia from 1985 to 1986.
In 1989 he was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.
On 27th September 2007 he was conferred with a doctorate by the University of Harding, United States of America.
My Lords, My Ladies, Late Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, S.C, was conferred with the Rank and Dignity of State Counsel in 1992.
Ascending to such high offices as Republican Vice President and President, there is no doubt that this is one member of our profession who has brought the highest honour or accolade to our profession.
Allow me My Lords, My Ladies to make some observations on the Life of the Late President firstly as a Legal Practitioner in the Law Firm of Mwanawasa and Co. As a Law Firm in Ndola in the 1980’s the firm will be remembered firstly as the only single branch Law Firm to have grown to the strength of 10 fee earners or Lawyers practicing under one roof or office. This is a feat that has not been equaled over the years. Under his principle ship and that of his Partner Mr. Isaac Chali. This Firm assembled a highly effective and mostly fierce litigation team.

What I see in these numbers is also the attribute of the Late President who while in practice was always willing to living under his wings young Advocates and train them. The Advocates who passed through this Firm at the time went on to become eminent Lawyers in their own right. These include names such as Mr. Mwila Chitabo, Mr. Michael Mundashi, Mr. Happy Chama, Mr. Arthur Chinga, Mr. Charles Muponda to name a few.
His personal contribution to Litigation and Law Development is nothing less than phenomenal. The Law Reports of Zambia bear testimony to this.
A search on the electronic Law Reports on the name Mwanawasa produces thousands of hits which one cannot measure.
Allow me to state that the Late President was an active member of the Law Association of Zambia. He supported the activities of LAZ even during the time he held Public Office.
I must mention that for the duration of his term of President, he and the First Lady continued to renew their Practising Certificates.
He was always represented at LAZ Annual General Meetings by his nominated proxies.
He followed LAZ events with keen interest and was always willing to discuss and take suggestions from LAZ leadership.
In him, we have lost an inspirational leader a Role Model.
The Legacy that he has crafted for the Country is a further enhancement of our estimated Profession and we can truly lift up our heads and be proud to be Lawyers as we emulate this great man.
May the Soul of Late Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, S.C, Rest in Eternal Rest and Peace.
AMEN….
_________________
Elijah C. Banda, S.C.
THE PRESIDENT

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