Lawyer calls for Samoa Law Society President to resign

Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 03 October 2025 – The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration and Registrar of the Court Papalii John Taimalelagi, has called on the President of the Samoa Law Society, Fiona Ey to resign.

It is one of the objections by the Society members citing the lack of consultation between the Council and members on a press statement released Wednesday 01 October,  on Ministerial Roles and Rule of Law.

In a letter to the President and Members of the Law Society, Papalii wrote “as a concerned and disappointed member of the Law Society.”

“It has come to my attention that a letter was sent to the Hon. Prime Minister on behalf of the Law Society, questioning matters related to his portfolio.

“I am compelled to express my strongest objection to this action, which I consider to be wholly inappropriate, unauthorised, and an abuse of the position held within the Society.

“Let me be clear, you had no right whatsoever to issue such a letter in the name of the Law Society without consulting its members. This is not only undemocratic—it undermines the very principles of accountability and transparency that the legal profession is meant to uphold.

“As a member of the Law Society, I will be sending a formal letter tomorrow to officially distance myself from the contents and intent of your letter to the Hon. Prime Minister. The letter you issued does not represent my views, and I believe it does not reflect the views of many other members.

“Frankly, this misuse of authority is unacceptable. Given the gravity of this action, and the damage it may cause to the credibility of the Law Society, I strongly urge you to resign immediately as President.

“If any other members supported or endorsed this correspondence without proper consultation, they too should consider their positions.

“We are a professional body bound by ethical conduct and proper process. That standard must begin at the top,” Papalii concluded.

Meanwhile, the President of the Samoa Law Society, Fiona Ey has not responded to media enquiries since the press statement was released on Wednesday evening.