10 Nov 2010

NZ Law Society likely to go to Fiji to observe application of law

7:43 pm on 10 November 2010

The New Zealand Law Society says it is likely to accept an invitation from Fiji, to observe how the law is being applied in the country.

Fiji's Solicitor-General has invited Jonathan Temm, to attend the twelveth annual Fiji Attorney-General's Conference next month.

Mr Temm says the invitation follows concerns raised by the New Zealand law society about the impact of various events on the rule of law in Fiji.

He says he hopes to visit Fiji to support lawyers who have been working under difficult circumstances.

"It's a fact-finding mission to be fair. We want to go up and support the Fiji Law Society. It's gone through a very difficult period and we'd like to go up and try and support those members of the profession that are practicising law in Fiji and I think at a practical level we'd like to be able to offer something like continuing legal education courses which we run here in New Zealand."

Jonathan Temm says he will only have time to meet with members of the Fiji judiciary, lawyers and academics, connected with the Attorney-General's conference.