THE decision by the Ethics Committee of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Bar Association (Peradi) is controversial as well as harsh. Disbarring a member and fellow attorney—whether the name is Todung Mulya Lubis, Polan or Wage—should only be done after serious deliberation. The considerable authority given by LawNo. 18/2003 on Advocates should be used very cautiously.

Permanent disbarment is a death sentence to an attorney. It is like a