Five new judicial officers were sworn-in at the State House yesterday further strengthening Fiji’s judiciary.

The newly-appointees took their oath before the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere in the presence of Acting Chief Justice, Justice Salesi Temo, Chief Registrar, Tomasi Bainivalu and Chief Magistrate, Ms Waleen George at the State House yesterday.

1. Justice Filimone Jitoko – Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal

2. Justice Isikeli Mataitoga – Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal

3. Justice Usaia Ratuvili – Acting Puisne Judge

4. Liyanage Kashyapa Wickramasekara – Acting Master

5. Krishan Prasad – Resident Magistrate

Backgound

• Mr Jitoko served as Chief Justice at the Nauru Supreme Court from 2017 until 2000 and he also served as the Registrar from 2015 till 2017.

Mr Jitoko graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 1969, he spent one year at the Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand where he attained his Bachelors in Law and following that he was admitted in the New Zealand Bar in 1978.

• Mr Mataitoga is a seasoned diplomat and Fiji’s former Ambassador to Japan, with accreditation to the Russian Federation, the Republic of the Philippines, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Brunei Darussalam.

A former High Court Judge, Mr Mataitoga served in the various positions within the judiciary. He attained a Bachelor of Laws – LL. B from the Victoria University of Wellington in 1981, New Zealand and Master of Laws -LL.M from the Victoria University of Wellington in 1985.

He holds a Master of Laws – LL.M and expertise in law reform and constitution, legal service, international negotiation, and strategic planning.

• Mr Ratuvili served as Acting Chief Magistrate and later confirmed Chief Magistrate from 2011 to 2022 and later confirmed as a Master of the High Court based at Labasa High Court.

Mr Ratuvili attained a Bachelor of Laws – University of the South Pacific and later a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice – University of the South Pacific.

From 2006 till 2007 , Mr Ratuvili completed his Master of Laws in Human Rights from the University of Hong Kong.

• Mr Wickramasekara held the position of State Counsel from the Attorney-General’s department from 2007 till to date.

Mr Wickramasekara took the oath office as the new Acting Master High Court.

• Mr Prasad holds a Bachelors of Law and he also graduated with a Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of the South Pacific.

He held the position of Deputy Registrar Legal (High Court of Fiji) Judicial Department from 2007 till to date with the Office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of Fiji in Suva.

Source: DEPTFO News

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