The Samoa Law Society plans to respond to a letter of complaint from the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) but the Society’s Vice President Su’a Hellene Wallwork notes that the Court of Appeal is the highest court in the land and its decisions are final.

Su’a, an attorney with the Wallwork Lamb Lawyers firm said the S.L.S. has not taken any action on the demonstrations being led by the H.R.P.P. but confirmed that they have received a letter of complaint from the political party led by former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi.

“The H.R.P.P. party has sent its letter of complaint against the Judiciary to the Law Society and so we need to respond to this letter,” she said.

Su’a made the comments in response to inquiries from the Samoa Observer. She said all members of the Law Society have an overriding duty to the Court.

“As barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Samoa, all our members have an overriding duty to the Court. Our Rules of Professional Conduct stipulate that lawyers must at all times be courteous to the Judges even if they feel they or their clients have been wronged,” Su’a explained.

Asked if the H.R.P.P. has any recourse, she directed those questions to the H.R.P.P. 

Su’a noted that the Court of Appeal is the highest court in Samoa and its rulings are final.

“As far as I am aware, the Court of Appeal is our highest court and its decisions are final,” she said.

The Samoa Law Society will meet for their Annual General Meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, 5 August at the Harbour View Conference Room at the Sheraton Hotel.

In a notice issued by the Law Society, elections are on the agenda. 

Members will elect a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and three councillors.

The Law Society elects a Council every year. 

“More often than not, our Council is elected by consensus of our members as has been the case for the past three years now. Any issues of priorities for the next year are usually left for the new Council to determine,” Su’a said.

With regard to the H.R.P.P.’s protests and demonstrations against the Court of Appeal, she confirmed that the Samoa Law Society has not taken any action on that. 

It is also unlikely that it will be discussed at the upcoming A.G.M. unless it is raised by one of the Society’s members.