The Solomon Islands Government has defended its engagement of Australian lawyer, Roger de Robillard as legal.
The Prime Ministers Press Office says the government is entitled to obtain legal advice from any legal practitioner
It says as far as the Solomon Islands Constitution is concerned the government does not need to apply to the Justice and Legal Services Commission for purposes of obtaining any legal service of a counsel.
The Judicial and Legal Services Commission's power of appointment under the Constitution applies to public offices only.
In a statement, the government says Mr de Robillard is not appointed to a public office but is only engaged in providing legal advice to the government on a short term basis.
Mr de Robillard arrived in the country not long after suspended Attorney General Julian Moti landed in Honiara.