The work of advocates and that of prosecutors is quite similar. The difference is that an advocate provides defense to the suspects being accused by the prosecutor and the judge is the over all in this matter.

Prosecutors and judge are state employees so they execute state work. On the other hand advocates are private workers.

The main objective and goal of the three parties is to bring justice before the law.

So this implies that these parties should be present during court hearing. The absence of one most especially the judge and the prosecution leads to postponing of the case which would otherwise be heard and judged.

Now this may sound simple, a mere postponing of a case but not at all to advocates. Since advocates are private workers who always earn basing on how much is accomplished.

The issue of postponing cases is a great challenge to them. I’m not saying that it affects advocates only; it does affect the country in general.

Clients or suspects are kings to advocates.

It is in this sense that they really feel that the pronounced dates for court hearings should be respected by prosecutors, advocates and judges for the smooth running of their work.

As already mentioned this affects the advocates very much. Just imagine driving from Kigali to Ruhengeri to attend the court hearing and defend your client only to find that the court cannot proceed in absence of the prosecutor.

All the fuel, time spent leading to financial problems.

The reason why this does not  affect the prosecutors  the same as advocates, is because prosecutors at the end of the day apart from his time spent which is counted as part of work, will not spend a coin on fuel since its state’s work. He or she will be catered for by the state.

But for advocates they use their cash. If this issue is not solved, the advocates will be working in losses.

For the best of their profession, the advocates are requesting their fellow worker mates to be more responsible and supportive to work hard in order to achieve justice. We all need the presence of advocates in one way or another. They do interpret laws for us.

Advocates must always be the best defense ever in handling issues brought into their services. Their service will continue to be enjoyed by the public when there is a clear connection with other parties.

No one is guaranteed not to be a suspect at any one day. There are things we do, not knowing that they constitute a crime.

Your ignorance of the law won’t be a defense. This is the time that you will seek an advocate.

Now considering the hindrances faced by advocates, he or she will increase the charges thus affecting the clients too.

In general the issue of the parties not respecting the rules of the courts affects the rule of law as well in the country.

There should be solutions set to solve the issue at hand. This will lead to the smooth running of law as a profession and maintenance of justice.

Email: desiremutesi@yahoo.co.uk