What do we do to the fundamental requirement of judicial neutrality if the Judge tries to assist a party who clearly is not getting out their story, or a Judge who intervenes when he  sees  a  lawyer  who  is  failing  to  take  points  which  are  obviously  there  to  be  taken, failing  to  cross-examine  in  an  adequate  way,  failing  to  call  witnesses  to  assist,  or pursuing unhelpful lines?  Is the Judge to discard his mantle of neutrality and go into the arena to protect those individuals? Is the traditional maintenance of judicial restraint to be given priority and precedence so as to protect the system’s integrity?  This is an issue faced  day  in  or  day  out  in  Courts  and  tribunals  throughout  the  Pacific.    Ignoring  the problem is no solution.  We need committed women and men, imbued with the principle of judicial impartiality, to find a way to turn the rhetoric of the rule of law available for all into a living reality everywhere. I recognise this inevitably leads to issues of proportionality.  In many countries legal aid will be available if a person is at risk of being sent to prison but not otherwise.  In other cases, it is said that it is not necessary or appropriate to give somebody lega l assistance. In civil cases where the amounts are relatively modest, people are thrown back on their own resources or those of their tribe, family, aiga or other support grouping. The  difficulty  with  that  police  decision  is  assessing  the  measure  by  which  you  are  to determine what is a serious matter and what is a minor issue.  Let me explain.  In New Zealand  we  have  Disputes  Tribunals  which  are  the  place  where  cases  involving  not more than $7,500 are adjudicated.  The amount can be increased to $12,000 by consent.   Lawyers  cannot  appear.    The  rules  of  evidence  do  not  apply.    There  is  no  right  of appeal.  That is rationalised on the basis that they are relatively minor matters where the costs of representation would outweigh the benefit.   Understandable theory.