24 October 2020 12:26 am Views - 910
In commemoration of the first death anniversary of Shibly Aziz PC a bust of the late legal expert was ceremonially unveiled at the Colombo Law Library in Hulfstdorp
It was the year 1998 and I had just completed my final year of the four year Special Bachelor Degree in Law, at the Faculty of Law at the University of Colombo. At the beginning, in my mind, it was always an incredible success to obtain entrance to the Faculty of Law.
We were informed about a career guidance programme organised by the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law, headed by the judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka Justice Mark Fernando PC for fresh law graduates.
Out of the fellow students called over for interviews many were absorbed. I walked into the counter of a company, to avoid the legal profession and switched into other related and non-related areas due to a lack of awareness of the scope of the profession. My inner feelings kept on pushing to withdraw myself from entering a highly competitive legal profession.
I was so upset hanging around the corridor and when the session was about to conclude my close friend Rohana noticed me and asked me, “Machan, what happened?”. He told me, “There are lawyers in that counter. I was told he is Mr. Shibly Aziz PC and he selected me, why don’t you go there?”. I was fully aware that he was the former Attorney General. I was hesitant to present myself.
I built up courage and confidence just as I appeared before the panel headed by my Guru Shibly Aziz PC. I can’t forget his words. “I have taken few people, okay no issue come to my chambers at Collingwood Place, Colombo-06”.
I entered PC’s Lounge and Sir welcomed me. I was shivering, “Where is your tie” he asked me, I said “It is with me”. Put it on was the next command. I didn’t know how to put the knot on. Sir, asked me to wear it properly. Sir noticed my struggle and put the knot on my tie. I was so proud and humbled.
Every day I went to Hulftsdorp he used to inform where I should come to and in the evening I went to the Chambers.
The moment I boarded his car he would ask questions, “Where were you today? What was that Court? What was my case? Did you hear what I submitted? Tell me what you heard and understood? Who was my opponent lawyer? What was his argument against me?” Every time I went mad it was for two reasons; mainly I was weak in English and next I did not understand a thing.
I built up courage and confidence just as I appeared before the panel headed by my Guru Shibly Aziz PC. I can’t forget his words. “I have taken few people, okay no issue come to my chambers at Collingwood Place, Colombo-06
Mr. Shibly Aziz was from Galle and hails from a renowned family. His Father was the Senior Advocate M. H. A. Aziz, was the Founder of the Ahadhiya Association and started Sunday Ahadhiya Quranic School. It was later headed by Mr. Shibly Aziz.
In 2000 we were admitted as Attorneys-at-Law. A few days later I met sir and he advised me, “You can be with me. You know that I am semi retired now and am only accepting briefs of selected cases. I am now taking my professional engagements lightly. Yet, if you wish to, you can continue with me. But I prefer you to start from Magistrate’s Court ”. It was an excellent direction Sir provided me with.
Very importantly, one day, when I called him for an admiralty matter, he politely refused for the reason being that in his words “I am holding office as a member of the Constitutional Council. It’s not ethical and proper for me to come to Hulfsdorp with a brief to argue a case”. Neutrality, impartiality, and being just is not words for him - but those are actions which he was known for across the legal fraternity. I am sure that the flock of legal eagles in Hulftsdorp will agree and vouch with me, he was one of the really exemplary and rare to meet gentleman lawyers ever found in the profession.
He was also elected as the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.
He has two sons: Afdhal Aziz and Adil Aziz. Mrs. Aziz was formerly at British Airways.
Sir, answered to the call of Almighty Allah on 08th of October, 2018 after a brief illness. He had a life span of 75 years.
(Faris Sally LL.B (Colombo), LL. M ( Staffordshire)
Attorney-at-Law,
Kalawewa & Colombo)