Philipsburg:--- The Judge of Instruction at the Court of First Instance did not mingle with words on Wednesday when he informed Attorney Ellen Knoppel that he was not pleased that she chose to represent a suspect that is in pretrial detention for committing fraud, forgery, and money laundering. According to information provided to SMN News, Judge Luiks made his views known to both Attorney Knoppel and the suspect Roberto Gibbs. According to Judge Luiks, Attorney at Law Ellen Knoppel is the legal advisor to the Minister of Justice Roland Duncan and it is unethical for her to be representing a suspect in a criminal case. Information provided to SMN News indicated that Judge Luiks insulted both Attorney Knoppel and Roberto Gibbs but he did not inform her which article of the code of ethics she has broken neither did he remove her from the case.
In an invited comment, Minister of Justice Roland Duncan said Knoppel informed him of the incident that took place during Gibbs pre-trial hearing and while he understands that it is not "nice" for one of his advisors to represent a criminal suspect, the lawyer in question did not break any rule of law. Minister Duncan said he indicated to Knoppel when he hired her that she has to phase out herself from representing people in the court of law, but he also agreed to give Knoppel enough time to find her clients proper replacement lawyers. Ellen Knoppel was working for Roberto Gibbs long before he was arrested, Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos confirmed that when the house search was conducted in the Gibbs investigation almost nine months ago Ellen Knoppel showed up as his lawyer. When SMN News asked the Minister of Justice if he does not think that his advisor had enough time to find a replacement lawyer for Roberto Gibbs, Minister Duncan said that he would agree that she had nine months to find Gibbs a lawyer, but he also understands that the attorney has to make sure she finds someone that would fully capable to represent her client and to do that the lawyer would need to study entire history of Gibbs and his company Global Advisory Services.
It should also be noted that Attorney at Law Ellen Knoppel is a lawyer who remains in full practice and is on the picket list. She is currently reviewing the picket law while working as an advisor for the Minister of Justice. Several practicing lawyers including those on the Lawyers Association said that Knoppel should remove herself as a picket lawyer if she is the one reviewing the picket law. "This is not only a conflict of interest but it is high-class lawlessness coming from the Ministry of Justice." When asked about this Minister of Justice Roland Duncan said that he does not see anything wrong with having Knoppel, a picket lawyer reviewing the picket law. Minister Duncan said that should Knoppel make any suggestion to change the law then it has to be approved by the Council of Ministers and Parliament. "I don't see how the lawyer would have any strong influence in the changing of the law that would benefit her personally. I think the picket law needs changing in some areas and someone has to do it."
Another issue that surrounds Attorney Ellen Knoppel is that she is representing several companies in labor related cases. Attorney at Law Ellen Knoppel has been writing warning and other letters for several companies that are having problems with their workers. Dismissal letters and other legal matters are also handled by Attorney at Law Ellen Knoppel while she is the advisor to the Minister of Justice Roland Duncan who is also the Minister that replaces the Minister of Labour Cornelius de Weever, when SMN News confronted the Minister of Justice about this on Thursday, the Minister said he made it clear to Ellen Knoppel that she cannot handle labour related cases because one day she would have to take a case to court and he would be the Minister of Labour who would have to appear in court.
Minister Duncan ended his statements by saying that while it is not nice for his advisor to represent suspects involved in criminal cases. The lawyer in question did not break the ethical rules for lawyers and he also did not feel she acted immorally.
