PM says courts will determine quality of legal advice

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says only the courts can determine the quality of legal advice he receives.

Mr Rabuka made the comment as questions arise over the legal advice that led to his decision to appeal a High Court ruling by Justice Dane Tuiqereqere that he unlawfully terminated Barbara Malimali as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

When asked if he was satisfied with the advice provided by the Solicitor-General and the Acting Attorney-General, Mr Rabuka said such judgments should not be made outside the courtroom.

“The only people qualified to talk about the quality of legal advice are the courts. Nobody else,” he said.

Mr Rabuka also declined to confirm whether he sought additional legal opinions from outside Government.

“It doesn’t matter. That will be determined by the court,” he said.

The case is expected to test not only the strength of the Government’s legal arguments but also public trust in the systems that guide major State decisions.