First time Court of Appeal session to be held outside Suva

The Judiciary of Fiji has announced that this month’s session of the Court of Appeal will be held in Ba, marking a historic milestone as it is the first time the Court of Appeal is being held outside the capital, Suva.

The hearing of cases will begin from tomorrow till next Friday the 14th of November.

The Judiciary says as court facilities outside of Suva have developed, the senior courts of Fiji will play its part in taking these courts closer to the people.

They say this is an effort to increase access to justices and to send the message that the courts of Fiji is for all the people, not just for those who live in Suva.

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isikeli Mataitoga will lead a team of senior Justices of Appeal from Fiji and three from Australia and New Zealand.

The Judiciary says this landmark session represents a significant step toward increasing access to justice for communities in the Western Division.

They say the Court will sit with its full quorum, including the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal, alongside members of an ad-hoc panel.

The initiative is part of the Judiciary’s ongoing commitment to decentralise judicial services and ensure that all Fijians, regardless of location, have meaningful access to the country’s appellate system.

Chief Justice Salesi Temo welcomed the move and says that taking the Court of Appeal to Ba is a progressive step in making the judiciary more accessible and inclusive.

Chief Justice Temo says it reflects their commitment to reaching people where they are.

Members of the public, legal practitioners, and the media are invited to observe the proceedings, subject to courtroom protocols and security arrangements.