Law Society stays mum on P.M’s challenge

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 15 December 2018, 12:00AM

The Samoa Law Society is yet to respond to a call from Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi for it to crack down on lawyers who were de-registered overseas for professional misconduct.

The Prime Minister made the appeal in a speech at a function to mark the 10 years anniversary of the Samoa Law Reform Commission.

“There are lawyers practicing in Samoa who have been de-registered overseas and not allowed to practice there as a result of serious offenses and even severe professional misconduct,” he said.

The Prime Minister did not mention any names when he made the charge. 

The Samoa Law Society president, Leiataualesa Komisi Koria, is yet to respond to questions from the Samoa Observer in relation to the comments by the Prime Minister. 

According to Tuilaepa, there were lawyers in Samoa who mislead the public and went ahead with litigation targeting the Government, despite being aware that they will loose. 

“Ironically, according to my information, the same lawyers have made it a habit to mislead members of the public to sue the government with full knowledge that it’s a lost cause.  

And in the end, the lawyers walk away as winners pocketing thousands of tala in legal fees. But here is the catch and even more disturbing is the fact that it’s your taxes paying for their legal fees because in many cases, the legal aid assistance funded by Government is paying for attorney fees to represent clients who cannot afford legal services and representation.

“Now I ask the Samoa Law Society if there is any justice in that.  What happened to integrity and honesty? And at the same time, I challenge the Society to do what is right and lawful,” he said and added that such lawyers should not be allowed to practice in the country.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 15 December 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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