COMPLAINTS lodged with the Legal Practitioners Unit (LPU) have called for the suspension of prominent lawyers Wylie Clarke and Tanya Waqanika.
This was confirmed by sources close to the matter, who alleged that both Mr Clarke, president of the Fiji Law Society and Ms Waqanika, who represented former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, are suspected to have been implicated in the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI).
The development comes as media reports confirm that “five senior lawyers” are named in the COI report, which has yet to be made public.
When contacted for comment, both Mr Clarke and Ms Waqanika said they had not been formally notified of any action against them.
“I have not received an advisory,” Ms Waqanika said.
“But I’m definitely looking forward to whatever comes out.”
Mr Clarke also confirmed he had not been advised of any complaints or disciplinary proceedings.
When a complaint is lodged against a lawyer in Fiji, the LPU, under the supervision of the Chief Registrar, carries out an initial assessment to determine whether the complaint falls within its jurisdiction and warrants further investigation.
If the complaint is deemed credible, the lawyer in question is formally notified and given an opportunity to respond, typically within a specified timeframe.
The LPU may then conduct a detailed investigation, which can involve reviewing documents, interviewing witnesses, and assessing whether the lawyer’s conduct amounts to unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct.
More details into the nature of the complaints are expected to be revealed later today.
