Attorney-General, Siromi Turaga says the appointment of new judicial officers has seen an increase in the number of local and qualified men and women appointed to the bench.
While responding to the President’s speech in Parliament today, Turaga said with proper remuneration, deserving individuals who have spent much of their careers contributing to Fiji’s legal system and jurisprudence have been appointed.
He said the judicial system is now well equipped to handle local cases by our people well qualified to do so and who understand local context when it is required.
Turaga said this also eases the load of numerous cases that are before the courts which have been audited by the Acting Chief Justice.
He said in 2021, there were eight new appointments, in 2022, seven were appointed to the bench, in 2023 to date – a record of 22 judicial officers have been appointed; 11 judges (three women) and 11 magistrates (eight women).
Turaga said he is very proud to be part of such a development in Fiji.
The Attorney-General also thanked the former ODPP, the late David Toganivalu for taking on an essential role at such a crucial time and taking on an essential role at such a time and for his wealth of knowledge and active contribution to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
