Chief Justice of Fiji
Tui Levu e Viti (Fijian)
फिजी के मुख्य न्यायाधीश (Fiji Hindi)
Coat of arms of
the Republic of Fiji
Incumbent
Salesi Temo (acting)
since 30 January 2023
StyleThe Honourable
Member ofJudiciary of Fiji
Reports toPrime Minister of Fiji
AppointerPresident of Fiji
Term lengthpermanent basis- age limit 75 year (to retire)
Formation1872
First holderCharles Rossiter Forwood
Judiciary of Fiji
Judicial officers
Institutions

The chief justice is Fiji's highest judicial officer. The office and its responsibilities are set out in Chapter 5 of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji.[1] The chief justice is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister.

He is appointed by the President, and nominated by the prime minister, who is required by the Constitution to consult the attorney-general (Section 106-1). Under the previous 1997 Constitution, the Prime Minister was required to consult with the leader of the opposition.[2] The appointment is permanent, until the chief justice reaches the age of 75 years (Section 110-1).

Like other judges, the chief justice need not be a Fijian citizen. When Sir Timoci Tuivaga retired in 2002, there were calls from the Citizens Constitutional Forum (a pro-democracy, human rights organization) for a foreigner to be appointed, to restore the independence of the judiciary that had been seen to be politically compromised by the 2000 coup. The government, however, appointed Fijian Daniel Fatiaki. In 2007, the military-backed interim government appointed Australian citizen Anthony Gates as the acting chief justice; he became the permanent chief justice on 5 December 2008.

Powers of the chief justice

According to Chapter 5 of the 2013 Constitution, the chief justice sits on the High Court (Section 100) and presides over the Supreme Court (Section 98), but is barred from membership of the Court of Appeal. This stipulation is designed to give the Appeal Court a measure of independence from the other two courts. The chief justice also chairs the Judicial Service Commission (Section 104(a)).

According to the 2013 Constitution, the chief justice is also the first in the order of succession to discharge the duties of the president of Fiji as acting president should the president be unable to discharge her or his office or if the office becomes vacant for any reason. In other words, the Chief Justice is an ex-officio Vice President of Fiji with a dormant commission which is invoked for the aforementioned reasons. The 2013 Constitution also stipulates that in the absence of the chief justice, the next senior most substantive judge performs the duties of the president as acting president.

History of the office

Before 1871, when Seru Epenisa Cakobau established the first unified Kingdom of Viti under his authority, what is now Fiji was a patchwork of warring fiefdoms. Forming a government dominated by foreigners, Cakobau appointed Sir Charles St Julian, an Australian newspaper editor, as the first chief justice in 1872. St Julian died in office a few weeks after Cakobau ceded Fiji to the United Kingdom on 10 October 1874, under the provisions of the Pacific Islanders Protection Acts of 1872 (35 & 36 Vict. c. 19) and 1875 (38 & 39 Vict. c. 51),[3][4] (amended in 1875),[5] (long title: An Act for the Prevention and Punishment of Criminal Outrages upon Natives of the Islands in the Pacific Ocean) which sought to bring the rule of law to British subjects who were using unconventional methods to supply labour for the European-run cotton plantations in Fiji. St. Julian was followed as Chief Justice in 1875 by Sir William Hackett.

From 1877 through 1961, the chief justice of Fiji was ex officio chief justice of the High Commissioner's Court, more commonly known as the chief judicial commissioner for the Western Pacific, the chief judicial officer throughout the British Western Pacific Territories, a supra-colonial entity established by the Western Pacific Orders-in-Council 1877 (amended in 1879 and 1880), and by the Pacific Order-in-Council 1893.[note 1] Appeals lay to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. From 1942 to 1945 the High Commission was suspended by military administration during the War in the Pacific. Headed by a high commissioner for the Western Pacific, who was also ex officio the governor of Fiji, until the end of 1952, it included numerous islands, mostly small, throughout Oceania. Composition varied over time, but Fiji (1877-1952) and the Solomon Islands (1893-1976) were its most durable members.

From the beginning of 1953, Fiji and Tonga were separated from the High Commission as a prelude to full independence, and the High Commission offices were transferred to Honiara on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The office of high commissioner was separated from that of the governor of Fiji and was now held by the governor of the Solomon Islands). The High Commissioner's Court, however, continued to sit in Suva, and the chief justice of Fiji remained the chief judicial commissioner of the Western Pacific until 1962.

From 1962 onwards, functions of the High Commissioner's Court began to be transferred to the increasingly independent island states under the provisions of Western Pacific (Courts) Order in Council, 1961.[6] The judicial commissioner for the Western Pacific became the chief justice of the High Court of the Western Pacific, and removed from Fiji to join the rest of the British High Commission in the Solomon Islands. The position was separated from that of the chief justice of Fiji.[7]

Fiji gained independence on 10 October 1970 as the Dominion of Fiji. Although no longer connected with the British High Commission, the position of chief justice of Fiji continued to be filled by judges from Britain, Australia and New Zealand until the appointment of Sir Timoci Tuivaga in 1980.

The constitutional arrangements relating to the chief justice were temporarily overturned in 2000, following a counter-coup by Commodore Frank Bainimarama to neutralize a civilian coup d'état instigated by George Speight. The then-chief justice, Sir Timoci Tuivaga, recognized the Interim Military Government that took office and abrogated the Constitution on 29 May, and drafted the controversial Administration of Justice Decree that was immediately promulgated by the military administration. This decree abolished the Supreme Court, made the chief justice head of the Appeal Court, and raised the retirement age of the chief justice from 70 years to 75. These changes were reversed following a decision of the High Court to reinstate the Constitution on 15 November 2000, a decision upheld by the Appeal Court on 1 March 2001.

Current chief justice

Salesi Temo is the current acting Chief Justice of Fiji.

List of chief justices of Fiji

# Incumbent Portrait Tenure Head of State Notes
Took office Left office
Chief Justice of Fiji (1872-1874)
Charles Rossiter Forwood
Acting 		1872 1872 Seru Epenisa Cakobau Filled in as Chief Justice in an interim capacity, pending the appointment of Sir Charles St Julian as the first substantive Chief Justice.
1. Sir Charles St Julian[8] 1872 27 August 1874 Seru Epenisa Cakobau
Victoria 		Appointed during the short-lived Kingdom of Viti. Retired shortly before Fiji's annexation by the United Kingdom on 10 October 1874, but died a few weeks later — before a pension could be arranged.
2. Sir William Hackett[9][10] 1875 1876 Victoria
Chief Justice of Fiji and Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific (1877-1962)
3. Sir John Gorrie[11][12] 1877 1882 Victoria
Fielding Clarke
Acting 		1882 1882 Victoria
4. Sir Henry Wrenfordsley[13][14][15] 1882 1885 Victoria
Fielding Clarke
Acting for Wrenfordsley 		1884 1885 Victoria
5. Fielding Clarke 1885 1889 Victoria
6. Sir Henry Berkeley[16][17][18][19] 1889 1902 Victoria
Edward VII
7. Sir Charles Major[20][21][22][23][24][25] 1902 1914 Edward VII
George V
Albert Ehrhardt[26]


Acting for Major

1910 21 February 1911 Edward VII
George V 		Ehrhardt, the then Attorney-General of Fiji, acted as Chief Justice while Major, the incumbent Chief Justice, was acting as Governor of Fiji.
8. Sir Charles Davson[27][28][29][30][31] 1914 1922 George V
Sir Kenneth Muir MacKenzie[32]
Acting 		1922 1923 George V
9. Sir Alfred Young, KC 1923 1929 George V
10. Sir Maxwell Anderson, CBE, KC, RN (retd.) 1929 1936 George V
Edward VIII
11. Owen Corrie, MC[33] 1936 1945 Edward VIII
George VI
12. Sir Claud Seton, MC[34][35][36] 1945 22 November 1949 George V
13. Sir James Thomson 1949 1953 George VI
Elizabeth II
14. Sir Ragnar Hyne[37][38][39][40][41] 1953 1958 Elizabeth II
15. Sir Albert Lowe[42] 1958 1962 Elizabeth II
Chief Justice of Fiji (1962–present)
16. Sir John MacDuff MC[43][44][45] 1962 11 July 1963 Elizabeth II Died in office.
Sir Clifford Hammett[46]
Acting 		1963 1963 Elizabeth II
17. Richard Hugh Mills-Owens[47][48] 1963 1967 Elizabeth II
18. Sir Clifford Hammett[49][50][51][52] 1967 1972 Elizabeth II Fiji became independent of the United Kingdom on 10 October 1970 as the Dominion of Fiji. All existing judicial and political office holders either remained in office, or were grandfathered into new roles. The role of the Chief Justice was unchanged.
19. Sir John Nimmo, CBE[53][54] 1972 1974 Elizabeth II
20. Sir Clifford Grant[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62] 1974 1980 Elizabeth II
21. Sir Timoci Tuivaga[63] 1980 31 July 2002 Elizabeth II
Sitiveni Rabuka
Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
Ratu Josefa Iloilo 		Following two military coups in 1987, Fiji became a republic. A President replaced the Monarch as Head of State. Chief Justice Tuivaga remained in office throughout.
22. Daniel Fatiaki 1 August 2002 3 January 2007
(de facto)
5 December 2008
(de jure) 		Ratu Josefa Iloilo Following the military coup on 5 December 2006, Fatiaki was sent on leave on 3 January 2007. He attempted to return to his office later that month, but was formally suspended by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces on 19 January. He formally resigned on 5 December 2008.
23. Anthony Gates 3 January 2007
(de facto)
18 December 2008
(de jure) 		8 April 2019 Ratu Josefa Iloilo
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
George Konrote 		Appointed Acting Chief Justice by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces on 3 January 2007, he succeeded to the office substantively on 5 December 2008, following Fatiaki's resignation.
24. Justice Kamal Kumar 8 April 2019 30 January 2023 (suspended) Jioji Konrote, OF, MC (former President of Fiji from 2015-21) Appointed Acting Chief Justice by President Wiliame Katonivere on the advice of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka

References

Notes

  1. ^ "B. (1.) The Chief Justice and every other judge for the time being of the Supreme Court, shall be, by virtue of his office, a Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific for the purposes of this Order, and is in this Order referred to as a Judicial Commissioner. (2.) Where, in the opinion of the High Commissioner, the attendance of a Judicial Commissioner holding office as aforesaid is impracticable, or would be inconvenient, the High Commissioner may from time to time in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, by writing under his hand and seal, appoint a person of legal knowledge and experience to be a Judicial Commissioner for particular purposes or for a particular time. The London Gazette, 8 September 1893 (26439), pp. 5119-5121.

Citations

  1. ^ "Constitution of the Republic of Fiji" (PDF). Electionsfiji.gov.fj. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Constitution of Fiji 1997". Wikisource. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  3. ^ Pacific Islanders Protection Acts 1872 and 1875 (PDF) (35 & 36 Vict. c. 19.). 27 June 1872. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  4. ^ The effects of the Pacific Islanders Protection Acts were still being debated in 2012: see Anderson, Michael (5 January 2012). "Aboriginal Australia and the Sovereignty Revolution". Treaty Republic. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  5. ^ Pacific Islanders Protection Acts 1875 Archived 25 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine (38 & 39 Vict. c. 51). Retrieved on 23 September 2015.
  6. ^ Care & Paterson 2007, p. 15.
  7. ^ Justice Gordon Ward (2005) Achieving effective legal representation in small Pacific island Commonwealth States Archived 31 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Commonwealth Law Conference, London, September 2005
  8. ^ Australian Dictionary of Biography
  9. ^ Appointment as CJ London Gazette, 23 April 1875
  10. ^ The Irish Canadian, 13 June 1877 Died in Colombo of cholera 1877
  11. ^ Brereton 1997, p. 104.
  12. ^ Cooper, Charles Alfred (1896) An editor's retrospect; fifty years of newspaper work p. 147
  13. ^ London Gazette, 19 June, 1883
  14. ^ Australian Dictionary of Biography
  15. ^ Bennett, John Michael. Sir Henry Wrenfordsley: Second Chief Justice of Western Australia, 1880-1883
  16. ^ Knighthood for Chief Justice of Fiji and Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific Knighthood for Berkeley
  17. ^ 'The Times' 2 October 1918: 30 September 1918, death of Sir Henry Spencer Berkeley, 3rd son of Thomas Berkeley Hardtman-Berkeley
  18. ^ Dictionary of Australasian Biography
  19. ^ Family tree at RootsWeb
  20. ^ "No. 27476". The London Gazette. 23 September 1902. p. 6075.
  21. ^ Replaced Berkeley in 1902 The Otago Witness, 13 August 1902
  22. ^ Knighted June 1911, still CJ, W. Pacific
  23. ^ Sir Charles Major biog. Chief Justice of Fiji and Chief Judicial Commissioner for the W. Pacific 1902-14 (maybe 1902-11) and M.E.C.(possibly HC=High Commissioner) of Fiji 1905-14
  24. ^ Announcement as CJ, British Guiana The Edinburgh Gazette, 29 September, 1914[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ This source says that Albert Ehrhardt, the Attorney-General, was acting as JCWP in October 1910 (p.148) and that Charles Major "had returned to his substantive position as JCWP" by August 1911 (p.153) (Lavaka 1981, pp. 148, 153)
  26. ^ Ehrhardt was also Attorney General 1903-1914; acting for Major while Major was Acting Governor of Fiji (1910-1911). (Lavaka 1981, pp. 148)
  27. ^ (1857-1933) Charles Davson: called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1881. Joined the Bar of British Guiana in 1882. Solicitor General, 1898. Appointed Puisne Judge of Mauritius in 1905; Chief Justice of Fiji and Chief Judicial Commissioner for Western Pacific in 1914. Knighted 1917.
  28. ^ The Times 13 February 1917, p. 6
  29. ^ Died 6 November 1933
  30. ^ Stewart's Handbook of the Pacific p. 90
  31. ^ Daley 1996, p. 114.
  32. ^ His surname was Muir Mackenzie
  33. ^ He was appointed Chief Justice of Fiji and Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific. Tuesday 25 February 1936 Corrie
  34. ^ definite dates of office
  35. ^ Biography
  36. ^ By May 1950 Seton was chairing a judicial inquiry in Kenya Kenya Gazette, 9 May 1950
  37. ^ CJ Tonga & Solomon Islands, a Judicial Commissioner 1930 Burra Record 18 June 1930
  38. ^ Knighted 1956 London Gazette 10 February 1956 p. 825
  39. ^ V. brief biog.[permanent dead link] His father's surname was Hein.
  40. ^ Notice of death, Sydney Morning Herald 6 October 1966
  41. ^ Picture of Hyne in judge's wig & robe[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ Christie's sale of medals with biog.
  43. ^ (was PJ Kenya) London Gazette 27 February 1962 p. 1682
  44. ^ Captain MacDuff, Col J. L. MacDuff, MC, m.i.d.; born Wellington, NZ, 11 Dec 1905; barrister and solicitor; CO 27 (MG) Bn Sep 1943–Feb 1944; 25 Bn Mar–Jun 1944; Adv Base, 2 NZEF, Jun–Jul 1944; Chief Justice, Fiji 1962; died Suva, 11 Jul 1963. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45 There is also an ordinary web page...
  45. ^ "John Levy MacDuff". Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 8 July 2022 – via Online Cenotaph.
  46. ^ "Fiji Law Reports" 9 FLR 129 (23 August 1963)
  47. ^ Mr Mills-Owens, Puisine (sic) Judge, Hong Kong, has been appointed Chief Justice of Fiji, the Colonial Office announced today Mr. Mills-Owens is 54. The Straits Times, 18 March 1964[permanent dead link]
  48. ^ Temp. Sub Lts. transferred to Permanent R.N.R,, in rank of Sub Lt. with seny. as stated: R. J. E. H. MILLS-OWENS, B.A. 9 December 1957 London Gazette, 31 January 1961
  49. ^ Clifford James Hammett, judge: born 8 June 1917; Magistrate, Nigeria 1946-52; called to the Bar, Middle Temple 1948; Senior Magistrate, Fiji 1954, Puisne Judge 1955, Chief Justice, Fiji 1967-72, Acting Governor General 1971; conjoint Chief Justice of Tonga 1956-68; Kt 1969; Regional Legal Adviser with British Development Division in the Caribbean 1975-92; married 1946 Olive Applebee (four sons, one daughter); died Henham, Essex 28 June 1999.Obituary, Independent Friday 9 July 1999
  50. ^ Knighted on board Britannia 5 March 1970, approved June 1969 London Gazette 23 April 1970 p. 4579
  51. ^ Private papers of Sir Clifford Hammett, Imperial War Museum
  52. ^ Puisne Judge, Fiji: The London Gazette, 24 February 1956
  53. ^ The Sydney Morning Herald, 16 July 1980
  54. ^ "Biography, Northern Territory official website". Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  55. ^ The List of Notaries Public Archived 15 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine at judiciaryfiji.org shows that Grant was still CJ in 1980.
  56. ^ Full Biography with big picture Archived 20 November 2013 at archive.today
  57. ^ Burke's Peerage
  58. ^ Involvement in politics? 1977
  59. ^ LLB Liverpool university in the 1940s
  60. ^ London gazette 10 June 1977 Knighted silver Jubilee honours 1977
  61. ^ His brother also studied at Liverpool uni.
  62. ^ Knighthood, June 1977 7th supplement to The London Gazette, 10 June 1977, p. 7137
  63. ^ Served 31 March 1980–31 July 2002. Reminiscences by Tuivaga of his time as Chief Justice. Legal Lali, 5:2,2 December 2002 Archived 29 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 November 2013.

Sources

Further reading

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