The Independent Legal Services Commission Commissioner is optimistic from the response received so far that the existence and operations of the ILSC has lifted the standard of legal practice in Fiji.

In a statement Justice John Connors said this is the feedback he has received and if that is the case, then that is the most significant achievement the ILSC has hoped to see.

Justice Connors said having a transparent and independent system in place to look into the complaints against lawyers were the reasons behind the establishment of the ILSC for which hearings commenced in October 2009.

Justice Connors revealed that almost a year into its establishment, the ILSC has already dealt with and handed out verdicts on seven complaints brought against lawyers with some disciplinary action having already been taken.

He also highlighted that one lawyer in particular, Abhay Singh had even been struck off the roll of legal practitioners in Fiji permanently by the ILSC however Singh had the term reduced to 10 years by the Appeals Court on the 22nd of September.

Justice Connors said he is hopeful that dealing with complaints in a timely manner and the imposition of appropriate penalties will hopefully encourage more lawyers to behave appropriately.

The ILSC was established under the Legal Practitioners Decree 2009 which takes the responsibility away from the Fiji Law Society to handle complaints against lawyers as previous reports had suggested the Fiji Law Society had not been dealing with the complaints effectively.



Story by: Ana Naisoro