ASKING FOR FAVOURS ‘NOT APPROPRIATE’
It is not appropriate for a judge or magistrate to ask members of the public for favours because it will bring disrespect
to the judiciary.
The comment came from Acting Chief Justice Kamal Kumar during the 2019 Civil Law Workshop held at Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa, which ends today.
Acting CJ Kumar told judicial officers not to engage in conduct which would bring disrespect to the judiciary.
“One thing you must know that we live in a country where people tend to know each other through their relationship, business and friendship,” he said. “The other thing I am sure we all know is that the best form of advertisement or spreading the news is ‘word of mouth’.
“In some instances, when people go to a barber they ask for a discount on a charge of $10. For you it might be trivial, but is not for the barber. Hence, he may spread the news that a particular (judge or magistrate) asked for a discount on a $10 charge. “Another area is when we ask members of public for favours which are not appropriate for judicial officers to ask. You do so thinking that he/she may be your friend. Don’t be mistaken. “We should conduct ourselves to ensure that we enhance the confidence of the public in the judiciary and the democratic principle of our society.” Acting CJ Kumar expressed his gratitude to the Government for acknowledging the needs of the Judicial Department in terms of construction of new court premises, improving existing buildings, construction of cell blocks and remand centres of a very high standard.