LAW SOCIETY
Out of 161 law firms in Fiji, only 14 have websites
There are a total of 161 law firms in Fiji, but only 14 of those law firms have websites. Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum revealed this while opening the Fiji Law Society and International Bar Association Convention 2021 at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Denarau, Nadi yesterday. There are more than 230 participants attending the two-day convention. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said there were a total of 894 valid practicing lawyers in Fiji where 101 of them were currently unemployed. “There are about 137 lawyers in independent institutions, 71 lawyers in Government departments, 71 lawyers in statutory organisations, 425 lawyers in private practice, 68 lawyers in corporate organisations,” said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum. “What is interesting is that we are seeing more lawyers joining corporate organisations.
“We have 20 lawyers in NG0s. “There are 329 lawyers with three years or less post admission experience, in other words, they cannot be operating their own law firms.”
He said out of the 425 private practitioners, 135 lawyers were running their own law firms. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said having only 14 law firms that had websites only meant that there was lack of specialisation in Fiji.
“There’s only a handful of lawyers in Fiji who are able to attract international work. The question should be asked is why aren’t the other lawyers in private practice able to attract international work?” he added.
“Ninety-five per cent of Fijians today have a mobile phone which means they all have internet connectivity, that means they can access your law firm through your website, but only 14 law firms have websites.”
He said the largest law firm in Fiji was the Legal Aid Commission which had over 100 lawyers.
The Fiji Law Society president, Wylie Clarke said he was pleased with the big turnout. The two days convention concludes today.