Fiji's solicitor-general condemns NZ Law Society

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Commodore Frank Bainimarama currently heads Fiji's interim government.

Geraldine Coutts

Last Updated: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:41:00 +1000

Fiji's solicitor-general has accused the New Zealand law society of double standards by asking its members not to work for the interim regime.

New Zealand lawyer Christopher Pryde has been reappointed to the judiciary in Fiji this week, and he says the country needs good lawyers more than ever.

"It seems to me paradoxical for the New Zealand Law Society to be saying that on the one hand Fiji should be supported in its efforts to return to the rule of law as soon as possible but on the other hand say that New Zealand lawyers should not assist," Mr Pryde told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program.

"It's precisely at this time that Fiji needs good, competent lawyers to assist it."

The president of the New Zealand Law Society, John Marshall QC, says New Zealand lawyers should not accept appointments to any office under the regime, and is concerned at the breakdown of the rule of law in Fiji.

"We don't think that it's appropriate for New Zealand lawyers to support an unlawful regime and to accept office there whether as a judge or a government official," Mr Marshall said.

Judges in Fiji were sacked and the constitution abolished earlier this month after the Court of Appeal ruled the 2006 coup unlawful.

Since sacking the judiciary, the Frank Bainimarama-led interim Government has reappointed magistrates and reopened the courts.

But the President is yet to announce the appointments of its superior court judges.

Mr Pryde says Fiji needs more good lawyers, but has little to say on the New Zealand Law Society's argument that any lawyer accepting work will be signing on with an illegal regime.

"I don't have any comment on that," he said.

"Public servants and governments come and go. I think it's important that Fiji is kept on track and assisted to the restoration of the rule of law."

The International Bar Association, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the New Zealand Law Society are all calling for the reinstatement of the judiciary and the dissolution of the current regime.