Resources

The South Pacific Lawyers' Association seeks to provide access to resources which may be of interest to legal practitioners and professional bodies in the South Pacific. Here you will find resources relating to practice management, continuing legal education, topical law reform issues, model professional rules, and many other useful information resources.

Please contact us if you would like to submit or suggest any additional resources that could be made available on this site.

Access to Justice and Pro Bono

Posted 30 Jul 2009

In a democratic society all citizens have a right to access justice and to receive a fair trial. Many people struggle to understand their legal rights and obligations and they may feel helpless when faced with problems. Without legal help they may be unable to resolve these issues. Access to proper representation — a lawyer — for important legal matters is a fundamental right. 

Anti- Money Laundering

Posted 30 Jul 2009

In 2003, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published a review of its 40 Recommendations for counter-measures against money laundering covering the criminal justice system and law enforcement, the financial system and its regulation, and international co-operation.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

Posted 30 Jul 2009

CLE (also known as ‘continuing professional development’) is important to ensure that a lawyer maintains the necessary knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive and component legal advice to clients. In many countries lawyers much complete a minimum number of hours of CLE each year (usually 10).

Regulation of the legal profession

Posted 29 Jul 2009

One of the key challenges for the South Pacific legal profession which was identified at the 2007 South Pacific Forum, was the effective regulation and administration of the legal profession. Bar leaders reported significant difficulties in establishing and maintaining complaints and discipline structures, enforcing existing legal professional rules and working with government to establish or refine laws governing the legal profession.

Links to regional and international law and justice organisations

Posted 29 Jul 2009

International Bar Association
The International Bar Association (IBA), established in 1947, has a membership of 30,000 lawyers and 195 bar associations and law societies. The IBA has considerable expertise in providing assistance to the global legal community and is a founding body of the South Pacific Lawyers' Association.