An international law convention has been told that there is a serious rift in Fiji's legal profession which has given it the appearance of not being independent.
The Fiji Times reports that the former president of the Fiji Law Society, Graham Leung, told the LAWASIA convention in Hong Kong this week that the legal fraternity has been divided since the December military coup.
Mr Leung said some lawyers voiced opposition to the circumstances and were intimidated and felt concern about their personal safety.
Others, he said, were unable to hide their dislike of the ousted SDL government and its policies and openly showed their support by helping the military to justify the coup with legal perspectives.
Mr Leung said the legal profession has been found wanting and compromised.
