Some Challenges Facing Legal Strengthening Projects in Small Pacific Island States

Abstract

This article considers some of the challenges facing small Pacific Island States that follow the donation of aid and judicial resources from overseas countries. In particular it considers the impact such assistance has on notions of State sovereignty and the possible compromise it makes to the development of a jurisprudence particular to the South Pacific region, for example in respect of the application of custom and customary law.

Keywords: South Pacific, custom, regional jurisprudence, legal strengthening, overseas aid