'Stronger, fairer justice’: Sāmoan and NZ lawyers join forces to mark 50 years of legal service

Lawyers from Sāmoa and New Zealand are working side by side in Apia this week sharing courtroom skills and knowledge as the Sāmoa Law Society celebrates 50 years of legal service.

The three-day advocacy workshop is bringing together lawyers, judges and law students to strengthen practical litigation skills with a focus on criminal and family law.

The programme is co-hosted by the Law Association of New Zealand and the Sāmoa Law Society, with support from the Pacific Justice Sector Program.

Sāmoa Law Society president Fiona Ey says the workshop is giving local lawyers the chance to learn directly from experienced legal professionals and judges.

“[It’s] a fabulous opportunity for them to be learning from various counsel from New Zealand along with esteemed judges from the District Court," she told PMN News.

But the training is not just about sitting in a classroom.

NUS students in the Court House after participating in the advocacy workshop in 2024. Photo/National University of Sāmoa.

Law students from the National University of Sāmoa are taking on witness roles so lawyers can practise cross-examination and prepare for challenging courtroom situations.

"There's nothing like actually getting your hands dirty and having to apply that theory and practice," Ey says.

A focus of the workshop is family law, including protection order applications.

Fiona Ey is the President of the Samoa Law Society. Photo/Clark Ey Koria Firm

Ey says this is an important area for Sāmoa where high rates of domestic violence continue to affect families. "We have very high rates of domestic violence in Sāmoa," she said.

While Sāmoa has a specialist therapeutic court and legal protections in place, Ey says lawyers need a strong understanding of local processes and the realities facing families.

For the women and children seeking protection, she says trust in the legal system is critical.

She said it matters that they can "trust the system, to trust the lawyer representing them and to trust that they're going to get the outcome that they need”.

Co-President of the Pacific Lawyers Association, Elaine Ward, says the programme is about ensuring people have access to justice.

"Having a good lawyer can be the difference between someone actually being heard by a court and someone falling through the cracks," Ward told PMN News.

The organising committee for the Samoa Law Society's 50th Jubilee, chaired by Peseta Salma Hazelman (centre). Photo/Sāmoa Observer.

The South Auckland barrister, who has Sāmoan ancestry and has practised law for around 25 years, says having the right legal support can change people's lives. She says the workshop has been designed around Sāmoa’s own legal system and communities and not just simply bringing in overseas approaches.

"Law just doesn't exist in a textbook, it exists inside a community," Ward said.

The programme uses Sāmoan legislation and court processes, with culture built throughout the training.

Ward says Sāmoa’s legal system reflects the relationship between customary and state law, with the Village Fono Act and the Evidence Act operating "side by side" in some cases.

She says the partnership between Sāmoa and Aotearoa is based on equality and long-term commitment.

"Real partnership isn't one country flying over to teach another," she says, adding it is about returning, building relationships and "working as equals”.

Listen to Elaine Ward's interview below.

“[That’s] a stronger, fairer justice system for Sāmoan families and communities, one case at a time."

The workshop is part of a week of events marking the Sāmoa Law Society’s 50th anniversary, including a symposium, memorial golf day and gala ball.

The celebrations come as Sāmoa continues efforts to strengthen capability across its justice sector with Prime Minister Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt saying capacity building "is one of the most valuable investments we can make in ensuring an effective justice system”.