Title 31
PROFESSIONS
Chapters:
02 Public
Accountancy
03-04 (Reserved)
05 Contractors
06 Professional
Surveyors
07 Tradesmen
08-09 (Reserved)
10 Health
Services
11-14 (Reserved)
15 Beauty
Culture
Chapter 01
ATTORNEYS AND PRACTITIONERS
Sections:
31.0101 Examination-Rules
and regulations-Appointment of committees.
31.0102 Rules of
professional conduct.
31.0103 Disbarment,
suspension, and reprimand.
31.0104 Unauthorized
practice of law-Penalty.
31.0110 Bar Association.
31.0101
Examination-Rules
and regulations-Appointment of committees.
The
Chief Justice of the High Court of American Samoa has the power to:
(1)
examine, admit and reinstate attorneys and practitioners to practice law in
American Samoa;
(2)
adopt reasonable rules and regulations to make effective the provisions of this
chapter; and
(3)
appoint such committees as he deems necessary to effect the purposes of this
chapter.
History: 1962, PL 7-36, 1969, PL 11-54; 1970, PL 11-1 11.
Case Notes:
Chief Justice
of the High Court has the ultimate authority to decide who may practice law in
the Territory. A.S.C.A. §
31.0101(a). Siofele v. Hall, 12
A.S.R.2d 9 (1989).
31.0102 Rules
of professional conduct.
The
Chief Justice shall formulate rules of professional conduct and has the power
to enforce the same. Such rules are binding on all persons admitted to
practice before the court.
History: 1962, PL 7-36; 1970, PL 11-111.
31.0103 Disbarment,
suspension, and reprimand.
The
Chief Justice has authority to disbar, suspend or reprimand any attorney or
practitioner admitted to practice before the court.
History: 1970,
PL 11-111.
31.0104 Unauthorized
practice of law- Penalty.
(a) It
is unlawful for any person, association, firm or corporation to engage in or attempt
to engage in the practice of law, or to do, attempt to do or offer to do any
act constituting the practice of law, except to the extent such person, firm or
association is licensed or authorized by the Chief Justice. Nothing in this
section authorizes licensing of a corporation to practice law.
(b) A
person, association, firm or corporation who violates this section is guilty
of a class A misdemeanor.
History: 1970, PL II-11I, amd l980, PL 16-90 § 84.
Amendments: 1980 Amended to conform with penalties provided
for in Title 46, Criminal Justice.
Case Notes:
One who is not licensed to practice law but who attempts to represent another person in