A District Court judge in Samoa, Tauiliili Harry Schuster, has ordered the arrest of New Zealand-based Samoan lawyer, Leuluaialii Olinda Woodroffe, for failing to appear on charges of uttering insulting words against a senior officer of the court.
The prominent lawyer's case was scheduled for mention last Tuesday but Ms Woodroffe didn't appear.
She had been charged after a complaint by the Ministry of Justice.
The lawyer is also due to appear at a Samoa Law Society tribunal hearing over claims she breached legal ethics following complaints made by the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and the Ministry of Justice.