The New Zealand Law Society says Fiji's military regime has further threatened the independence of the legal system in Fiji.
Over the weekend, the offices of the Fiji Law Society were raided, files were removed, and the Society's president was informed that the government is taking on the function of licensing lawyers.
The president of this country's Law Society, John Marshall QC, says lawyers in Fiji have in the past stood up to the regime and acted courageously.
"What is objectionable is that the change is being by decree by a regime that is unlawful and with the clear objective of reducing the influence of the influence of the Law Society."
