The dawn of a New Year is always a special time: an opportunity to reflect on and take stock of the events in our lives and nation, and a chance to look forward into the coming year. The GBA notes that while 2015 has been a challenging year in the history of our profession and nation, 2016, will mark a significant milestone in our democratic journey, affording us an opportunity to achieve things that we could not achieve in 2015.

As we take stock of the events in our lives and that of the nation, we should be reminded of the vanguard and leadership role that lawyers are expected to play in the defence of Democracy, in the Rule of Law, and in attaining the promise of liberty for all persons regardless of wealth and social status. We should also not lose sight of the hardship experienced by many people in the country and across the globe in these hard economic times.