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Wicknell publicly praised Advocate Uriri and offered him:
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A 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography (US$250,000)
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US$50,000 cash for fuel
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US$50,000 for Mrs Uriri as a “handbag allowance”
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Advocate Uriri respectfully declined all gifts, citing:
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No professional work done for Wicknell since June 2024
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Past work was fully paid for
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The gifts could create a perception of ongoing financial obligation
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Legal ethics require independence and avoidance of conflicting interests
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Wicknell’s Public Tribute (Tweeted)
“SENIOR COUNSEL PAR EXCELLENCE… Today I want to celebrate and appreciate a unique and exceptional legal mind — a LAWYER PAR EXCELLENCE. A brilliant advocate who knows his job, understands the law inside out, and when he accepts your brief, HE DEFENDS YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY. His name is none other than ADVOCATE LEWIS URIRI SC, founder and Chairman of the best chambers of Advocates in Zimbabwe — THE ZIM TEMPLE BAR.
Over the years, you have represented me with tremendous courage, commitment and professionalism. You make the necessary noise when it matters, you argue your cases fearlessly, and you never allow pressure or public opinion to distract you from the law and the facts. I cannot remember a single matter where you represented me that was ultimately lost — even where we suffered a setback, YOU FOUGHT ON, TOOK IT ON APPEAL AND WON. That fighting spirit and confidence in your craft deserves recognition.
Great lawyers are not simply people who know the law; they are people who know how to APPLY IT, DEFEND THEIR CLIENTS AND STAND FIRM WHEN THE PRESSURE IS HIGHEST. You have done exactly that for me time and time again. Your loyalty, legal brilliance, preparation and fearless advocacy have never gone unnoticed.
Against this background, my dear brother, please GO AND SEE VICTOR on Wednesday and collect your BRAND-NEW 2026 RANGE ROVER SPORT AUTOBIOGRAPHY, valued at US$250,000, fully paid for and ready for collection.
In addition, Victor will give you US$50,000 CASH FOR FUEL.
Please ask your beautiful wife, MRS URIRI, who is also a SENIOR and COMPETENT lawyer, to accompany you — she will also get another US$50,000 as her handbag allowance. For all I know, some of my impeccable and well-articulated heads of arguments and pleas were drafted at home with her input.
This is simply my small way of saying THANK YOU for the exceptional work you have done for me over the years. Continue defending your clients with distinction, continue making your mark in the legal profession, and continue demonstrating why the title SENIOR COUNSEL sits so comfortably on your shoulders. Congratulations again and WELL DONE — enjoy your WELL-DESERVED gifts!!!”
Advocate Dr Lewis Uriri’s Response
Dear Wicknell,
Thank you for your generous words about my professional work and for your kind acknowledgment of my wife. I appreciate your recognition of the dedication with which I discharged the briefs entrusted to me.
My wife and I have carefully considered your announcement and must respectfully decline the vehicle and both cash gifts.
For clarity:
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We last spoke in June 2024.
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I have undertaken no professional work for you since then.
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The historical work to which your tribute refers was performed in my professional capacity and paid for in full.
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My remuneration was for services actually rendered.
Your announcement came as a complete surprise, without prior notice or discussion. Given:
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the distance that has developed between us since our last conversation,
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the substantial nature of the gifts, and
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their express connection to past professional services,
I must approach this gesture with particular care.
Zimbabwe’s Legal Practitioners’ Code of Conduct requires us to preserve our integrity, safeguard our professional independence, and maintain public confidence in the profession. The International Bar Association’s principles and the International Commission of Jurists’ writings likewise emphasise that a lawyer’s professional judgment must remain independent and free from conflicting personal interests.
Applying those standards, I consider it necessary to decline benefits that could reasonably create a perception of personal financial obligation extending beyond a concluded and fully remunerated professional engagement. My wife and I attach great importance to preserving both our professional standing and public confidence in our independence.
The independence reflected in your generous tribute is a responsibility I must continue to uphold.
Please receive our decision in the respectful spirit in which it is conveyed. We appreciate the generosity expressed and your acknowledgment of my past work. Our decision is nevertheless firm: we will not accept the vehicle or either of the cash gifts.
We wish you well and trust that you will understand and respect our position.
Advocate Dr Lewis Uriri
