Samoa’s Lawyer Population Grows

Written by Astrid Sesega
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Capt : NEWER GENERATION: Attorney General, Aumua Mr. Ming Leung Wai. There are soon to be more lawyers coming out of the University of the South Pacific (USP) than other institutions overseas, says Attorney General, Ming Leung Wai. This is because since the University set up their School of Law in Vanuatu, more and more students are going there to study instead of New Zealand. “Before the USP School of Law, most of our lawyers were trained in New Zealand and some in Australia.” Leung Wai believes that very soon those graduating from USP will outnumber those graduating from other Universities. “The number of USP trained lawyers is on the rise.” Currently there are a large number of lawyers in Samoa but Leung Wai believes it has not yet reached the point where Samoa has become saturated. Although there are a large number of lawyers in Samoa, Leung Wai believes there is a need for more judges. He felt however that it is very difficult to entice lawyers to further their education to become judges. He says this is because of various reasons. One of is because of the low salary judges receive. Leung Wai recounted the reaction of one lawyer when asked why he was not a judge. “I asked one lawyer in private practice that I really look up to why he didn’t want to become a judge and he replied, “Who is going to pay my mortgage and my children’s school fees.” Comments (1) Subscribe to this comment's feed Do what is right, not what is popular; if it’s both, then by all means pursue it! written by Nerd, November 21, 2007 Within the Samoan context, when did salary/income outweigh personal/family honor and social status in pursuing a legal education, and/or judgeship for that matter? Incidently, how many lawyers does Samoa have to have to reach the saturation point? Understanding that Law is a diverse field today, at least in more diversified and pluralistic societies, Samoa does not offer such diversity, hence law, as a career, tends to take a homogenous path and thereby reaching saturation sooner and faster. Incidently, if and when such a point is reached, how will the government and society as a whole discourage students from becoming lawyers? Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 November 2007 )

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