A New Zealand-based Samoan lawyer has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court in Samoa rejecting the Samoa Law Society tribunal's findings in which she was found in breach of her duties.
Leulua'ialii Olinda Woodroffe was accused of professional misconduct under the Society's code of ethics when she wrote to the Minister of Justice, chief justice and Prime Minister in 2008, asking for criminal charges against her to be withdrawn following a police investigation into a complaint by the Ministry of Justice.
The criminal charges of insulting words were dropped because of insufficient police evidence.
The Law Society tribunal has proved two charges against the lawyer and she was ordered to pay a fine of more than 500 US dollars and tribunal costs of more than 1,500 dollars.
Leuluaialii is appealing the whole decision.
The secretary of the Samoa Law Society, Rosella Papali Viane, says the society has been served with the appeal.
