Memorandum of Submission of Appeal: Ngoulla Fotso & Associates Law Firm equips lawyers on drafting.

This was the focus of a one-day seminar organised by the Ngoulla Fotso and Associates Law Firm on Saturday, October 13 in Douala. 

The workshop featured detailed theoretical and practical sessions led by esteemed magistrates from the Supreme Court notably; Kenmoe Emmanuel, Ondoua Obounou and Bea Abednego Kalla

The three panelists engaged participants on hands-on training and persuasive submissions that adhere to the rigorous standards of the Supreme Court.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Barrister Ngoulla Fotso Arlette of the Ngoulla Fotso and Associate Law Firm, noted that the training was prompted by the recurrent rejection of Memorandum of Submission of Appeal drafted by legal practitioners.

Describing the job of a lawyer as an elitist one, the legal luminary said achieving excellence in court is a must-do in the profession thus warranting trainings.

“We need to have a sense of excellence in rendering service. For that to be done, we need training, training is the key to excellence in every profession,” she said

She said when she was called to the Bar in 1983, seminars, trainings, and peer learning from seniors were recurrent. Barrister Ngoulla Fotso said the growth of the association has come with some laxity that is negatively affecting lawyers in courts.

Barrister Ngoulla Fotso said the goal is to strengthen the capacities of lawyers. The seminar was the second training exercise in Douala in addition to others staged in Bamenda and Yaounde.

By engaging the trainings, Barr Ngoulla Fotso said she wants lawyers to be fully groomed so as to be able to petition the Supreme Court with acceptable Memorandum of Submission. 

“The relevancy of a Memorandum of Appeal cannot be understated, as it is from the document that any respondent or court will know what the appeal is all about,” she stated. 

Barrister Ngoulla Fotso added that: “Everyone involved in the appeal process will instantly know the points of law or facts which are alleged to have been wrongly decided. It is daunting for experts to imagine an appeal were to proceed without a Memorandum of Appeal, and imagine the time and costs already expanded or required to be further expanded, on account of non-adherence of the rules”.

Participants hail training

Buea-based legal practitioner, Barrister Kameni John, noted that the training was very important. He hailed the efforts of her senior colleague, Barrister Ngoulla Fotso, for taking upon herself to train others on the drafting of Memorandum of Submission in support of appeals before the Supreme Court.

He said the Supreme Court is the appellate jurisdiction and in the Common Law system, “we always say after the Supreme Court, we can only complain to God. So it is important, the manner in which you  make an appeal before the said jurisdiction”. 

Kameni further underscored that: “All these comes as a result of lacuna in the drafting of Submission in Support of a Memorandum of Appeals. So this particular seminar is timely to help most lawyers to make sure that they are fortified before going to the Supreme Court”.

Some appeals, Barrister Kameni said, are not “thrown out for technical reasons. It is a professional weakness for a lawyer to be sent out of his client’s case because of technical errors. The seminar defined and make sure we defend our clients adequately”.

He said with over 41 years experience as a lawyer, Barrister Ngoulla Fotso has what it takes to groom other lawyers. Barrister Kameni went on to indicate that oftentimes most lawyers are unable to approach the Supreme Court.

Another participant, Barrister Mbiiga Etia Cecile Mirielle with over 20 years of experience said the seminar had relevance given that the Supreme Court has in the past months dismissed so many submissions.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3262 of Thursday October 17, 2024