The President of the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association says the Kiribati Government must remember its obligations and commitment to the rule of law.
Brian Speer was talking about a government tribunal investigating expatriate judge, David Lambourne.
The Kiribati Government claims it is responding to complaints it has received about Lambourne but Speer believes they are not following a fair process.
He said Lambourne has been unable to return to the country, unable to practise as a judge, may be bound by a limited term contract rather than a life appointment, and his salary may have been withheld.
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He said this is all contrary to what is known as the Latimer House principles on the independence of the judiciary.
"Which require judges to be independent, to have security of tenure, and if there are any issues regarding a judge's performance, to do so only for reasons of incapacity, rather than what seems to be of concern here, that there seems to be some political unhappiness with the judge," Speer said.