Justice System Undergoes Changes: Gates

The justice system in Fiji is undergoing changes to ensure it is on par with international practices, says Chief Justice Anthony Gates.

Justice Gates was speaking at the launching of the European Union-funded United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) event “Fiji Access to Justice Project” at Holiday Inn in Suva, yesterday.

Justice Gates said video recordings of proceedings had been introduced to assist court proceedings as well as the compilation of an accurate and timely record for appeal purposes.

“It will be worthwhile to know how the ordinary litigant will respond. Mediation is now an established diversion from the court process,” he said.

“Courts are expanding to the rural areas beyond the usual rural centre. The Small Claims Tribunal is travelling on the ship to the islands. There is a good deal of judicial training afoot to improve standards and also attitudes. That is just something of what is happening presently.’’

However, he said there was much more to be done to improve the experience of attending court.

“The launch of the assessment project today (Wednesday) begins a systematic analysis of the existing state of affairs,” he said.

“From the collection of the results we expect to be able to plan how we can improve the services.

He said: “Fiji Access to Justice” was another step to justice for the people of Fiji.

“The assessment as you have heard will provide data, information and feedback. Not all off the cuff tweets that people issue will provide us with deep, considered, and informed thoughts and opinions,’’ Justice Gates said.

“But first thoughts do have an immediacy which we should pay heed to. It is right to have the humility to seek such assessments. Only with the humility can we be ready to jettison old and ineffective ways, and instead to seek more efficient ways to transact court business.”

UNDP country director Bakhanov Burkhanov said the assessment was a milestone achievement for Fiji and UNDP.

“The assessment we are embarking upon will analyse whether citizens are actually able to access and use justice institutions to solve their common justice problems, identify factors affecting their ability to do so, and examine what reforms and programmes could make the justice sector institutions more responsive to citizens’ needs,” Mr Burkhanov said.

“The assessment is not an isolated stand-alone study. It will create an important baseline for all Fiji’s access to justice work with a rigor and scope that we have not attempted before.

“The outcome of this assessment will be used to develop continuing support for justice institutions, and indeed inform the entire justice sector. Above all, it will help Fiji stakeholders determine where policy and resources should be directed to improve the access to justice situation for all citizens.”

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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