682 Justices of the Peace, but remote areas still underserved
Government paid $477,100 in allowances last financial year and will cap new appointments at 30 a year
Wednesday 19 August 2026 | 13:30
Updated 19 August 2026 | 15:33 FJT
Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga in Parliament on August 19, 2026.
Photo: Parliament of Fiji
Fiji has 682 active Justices of the Peace (JPs), but several remote, maritime and interior communities remain underserved, the Government says.
Government paid out $477,100 in JP allowances during the 2025-2026 financial year.
Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga revealed the figures in a written response to Parliament this week to a question from Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna.
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Each JP receives a $100 monthly allowance, subject to submitting monthly reports and serving a minimum of 50 customers.
Exceptions to the quota can be requested in writing to the Team Leader. The approved budget for JP allowances for this financial year is $600,000.
As of August 18, the Central/Eastern Division had the highest number of JPs, with 339, followed by the Western Division with 271 and the Northern Division with 72.
A further 33 JPs serve the Maritime region, covering Lomaiviti, Lau, Taveuni, Kadavu, Beqa, Vatulele and Yasawa. However, Mr Turaga said some areas remained underserved.
These included the maritime locations of Yasawa, Yacata, Cikobia, Kadavu, Yanuca and Rotuma, along with interior parts of Namosi, Naitasiri, Ba, Navosa, Macuata, Cakaudrove and Bua.
"The distribution of JPs highlights the need to continue strengthening access to JP services, particularly in remote, maritime and interior communities," he said.
Applications for the next round of JP appointments opened this month, with 30 applicants to be appointed.
From this financial year onward, new appointments will be capped at 30 a year, based on identified needs in specific areas.
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