A young Samoan lawyer has been appointed to the Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association's Australasian Hub which promotes the engagement of young lawyers and rule of law issues. 

Luaipou Ann Matalasi was appointed to the YCLA in February this year and is the first Samoan lawyer to join the association which is a sub-association of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.

Asked by the Samoa Observer what are the benefits of her two-year engagement, Ms. Matalasi said becoming a member of the CLA and a representative of Samoa on the YCLA will broaden her network with lawyers in other jurisdictions practising in other areas of the law she is not familiar with. 

“I’ve had the opportunity to request for technical assistance in terms of professional training from the CLA for our lawyers in Samoa,” she added. 

“I also managed to contribute to the discussions around CLA conference registration fees to ensure that our developing nations are involved. 

“I am also a member of the Samoa Law Society Professional Committee and being a member of the YCLA will greatly assist with our training.”

As part of her engagement with the YCLA she did an interview – on behalf of the Young Commonwealth Lawyers Committee as part of a “In Conversation with” series – with former New Zealand High Court judge Rodney Hansen QC where she discussed his career from the bar to the bench and how “learning never stops”. 

The former judge’s long association with the CLA and his involvement with the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior case and an injunction that prevented the New Zealand All Blacks tour of apartheid South Africa were also discussed.

Ms. Matalasi told this newspaper that her interview was “an eye-opening experience” for her as the former judge also had Pacific experience, as he sits on the Court of Appeal of Tonga, Kiribati and Samoa.

“I am passionate about litigation and rule of law related issues. I specifically asked Judge Hansen for his advice to young lawyers like me as I have just been admitted to the Supreme Court of Samoa in 2016,” she told the Samoa Observer. 

“Judge Hansen advised that you cannot be overly prepared when you appear in Court, particularly the fact that lawyers usually get carried away with the merits of their own argument that they do not spend time to examine their opponent’s side.”

Ms. Matalasi started practising law in Samoa in 2016 at the Office of the Attorney General as a Prosecutor and in 2021 moved to private law namely, Leavai Law Firm in Apia as an Associate. She attained her Bachelor of Law at the University of The South Pacific in Vanuatu and is also a graduate of the University of Otago with a Masters of International Studies.

Meanwhile another local lawyer has also achieved a milestone when she became the first Samoan lawyer to be appointed to the CLA Council representing Samoa.

The appointment of Fiona Ey, who is a partner in local law firm Clarke Ey Koria Lawyers, was announced by the CLA Council last month as it advised of the expanding of its membership with the appointment of five new council members.

“The CLA President and Council look forward to the June meeting as the first opportunity to formally welcome our new colleagues Fiona Ey (Samoa), William Wylie Clarke (Fiji), Noorbaan Fahmy (The Maldives), Korah Galloway (Montserrat) and Dr John Carey (Cayman Islands),” reads the CL Council notice.

"Their perspective and contributions will add context and weight to our debates. 

“With 44 jurisdictions now represented on Council, we have a more inclusive, diverse body which is well placed to affirm the Commonwealth bond and support our objectives as we plan the next strategic period.”

Asked by the Samoa Observer to comment on her appointment, Ms Ey said she was honoured to join the CLA representing Samoa.

“The CLA aims to uphold rule of law and promote the administration of justice and human rights,” she said.  

“These issues are fundamental to peaceful, safe and fair societies across the world, including our Pacific islands.”

Ms Eye said having been established close to 50 years ago, the CLA did not previously have broad Pacific membership and it is timely for nations in the region to work through the CLA and cooperate with Commonwealth member states with similar legal systems and development issues.

“Through this position, I want to facilitate opportunities for Samoan lawyers to promote rule of law and participate in CLA professional development training and networking opportunities, particularly for our young professionals."