The Director of Communication of the Judiciary Public Information Section, Caesar N. Slapeh, has cautioned lawyers against entrapment, while reminding them to take cognizance of the Code of Moral & Professional Ethics that restricts statements during trial or pending action.
"Let me use this opportunity to remind lawyers not to grant interviews in an ongoing proceeding. For your own good, you may be entrapped in what is considered a Devil's Advocate interview technique. Therefore, be reminded of Rule 16 of the Lawyer's Code of Moral & Professional Ethics as it relates to Lawyer and Newspaper Publications," he urged.
Addressing an elaborate press conference on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Judiciary following his official pronouncement in the new portfolio, he said that the Lawyer Code of Ethics provides that a lawyer should avoid publication of anything pertaining to pending or anticipated litigation, as such publication might interfere with a fair trial of the matter and prejudice the due administration of justice.
The code further states that if the extreme circumstances of a particular case justify a statement to the public, it is unprofessional to make it anonymously.
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According to him, an ex parte reference to the facts should not go beyond quotation from the records and papers on file in court, but even in extreme cases, it is better to avoid any ex parte statement.
Ex parte is a Latin legal term meaning "from one party," referring to court proceedings conducted for the benefit of one party without the other party being present.
Mr. Slapeh stated that, in his understanding of journalism, this could mean that when a matter is in court, lawyers should adhere to the sub judice rule, adding that media reporting can remain factual and devoid of potentially harmful commentary, serving as a safeguard and ensuring that justice is not compromised by media influence.
"Moving forward, we will work with the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to ensure that all journalists covering, or desirous of covering, the judicial system are required to obtain professional accreditation from the PUL, because it is the representative organization of professional journalists and media institutions in Liberia," he pointed out.
According to him, this measure is intended to safeguard the institution of journalism and protect the public's right to be informed about the judiciary as an institution of law.
"We will work constructively with the PUL by giving serious attention to the professional accreditation of all journalists covering the Judiciary, because journalism is a noble profession and we ought to collectively treat it with the respect and dignity it deserves," he concluded.
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