There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the top.
Fiji Law Society President, Wylie Clarke stated this at the Fiji Law Society Convention 2025, held in partnership with the Pasefika Lawyers Collective at the Crowne Plaza, Nadi.
Clarke says he has lost count of the number of times that we talk about respecting and upholding the rule of law.
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He says that public trust in our social bodies, the State here, is unfortunately for him constantly undermined by examples that occur far too often, where it would seem that our leaders don't really pay regard to it.
The Law Society President says whether it is in the suspension or dismissal of a public officer, appointment of public officers and just the way that decisions are made.
He says he has not mentioned any names, and a number of these matters that he is talking about are actually before the courts right now, in respect of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Clarke says this includes the Commission of Inquiry into the appointment of a former Commissioner of FICAC.
He says the response is if they are not happy, then take it to court and as a principle, you can't argue with that.
The Law Society President says if there is a dispute about what something means, or that you do not agree with something, take it to court, but the problem is that sometimes when you are looking from the outside in, it is so obvious that something is wrong.
He says the law has not been followed, it has just been disregarded.
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