337 lawyers granted license

Three hundred and thirty seven lawyers have today been granted Practicing Certificates by the Acting Chief Registrar.

However certain lawyers have only been granted certificates for a period of three months only pending clarification on professional practice matters.

Some of the prominent lawyers who have renewed their license under the decree include Fiji Law Society President Dorsami Naidu, Former Fiji Law Society Presidents Isireli Fa and Devanesh Sharma, Richard Naidu, Qoriniasi Bale, Doctor Shamshud Dean Sahu Khan and Jon Apted.

Under the Legal Practitioners Decree, lawyers had to apply for their practicing certificates by June 15th as the license would expire on June 30th.

Meanwhile in a notice issued today Acting Chief Registrar Ana Rokomokoti said under the provisions of section 42 (2) and (4) of the Legal Practitioners Decree 2009, it states that law firms cannot operate lawfully unless each and every legal practitioner employed by or in the law firm possesses a valid Practicing Certificate.

Rokomokoti said failure on the part of any person to comply with this provision may result in the person concerned having his or her practicing certificate cancelled or being prosecuted for contravening the Decree.


Law Society president applies for license

The President of the Fiji Law Society said he has applied for the renewal of his practicing license for the sake of members of the public.

Dor Sami Naidu believes people who need legal representation should not be deprived of their rights.