Aquinas, 10 July 2025.- In a notice published on 9 July, the Bar of Aquinas strongly denounces the decision of the Council of the Bar Association of Port-au-Prince to prohibit Mr. Caleb Jean-Baptiste from practising in his jurisdiction and from closing his firm.
Considering this measure to be arbitrary, discriminatory and contrary to the fundamental principles of the profession, the Bar of Aquin gives 24 hours to its counterpart to reverse the act, under the penalty of bringing the matter before the competent national and international bodies.
In an already tense context within the corporation of Haitian lawyers, the decision of the Council of the Order of Lawyers of Port-au-Prince, dated July 3, 2025, to prohibit Mr. Caleb Jean-Baptiste from practising in the jurisdiction of the capital and to close his cabinet « Jean-Baptiste & Associates Law-Firm » In Delmas, the Bar Association of Aquinas reacted strongly.
In an official communiqué signed by the sticker Mr David Jacquet, the Secretary General, Mr Dubé Isaac, and the treasurer, Mr Emmanuel F.G. Boujolly, the Council of the Bar Association of Aquina denounces a measure judged « arbitrary, discriminatory and contrary to fundamental principles governing the profession of lawyer ».
According to the signatories, this decision constitutes a flagrant violation of the right to free exercise of the profession, guaranteed by the Decree of 29 March 1979, in particular articles 52 and 53, which allow any duly registered lawyer to practise throughout the national territory.
The Bar of Aquina does not intend to remain silent about what it describes as abuse of power. It grants the Council of Port-au-Prince a 24-hour period to report its decision and restore respect due to the profession. Otherwise, he announces that he will seize the national and international authorities, directly targeting Max Stanley Lafortune, the current secretary and barrister of the Bar of Port-au-Prince, as one of the responsible for this controversial measure.
This arm between the two bars could mark a turning point in the management of internal conflicts within the Haitian judiciary, while raising key questions about respect for professional rights and solidarity between lawyers.
WA
