17 High Court cases called via Skype in Supreme Court

Seventeen appeal cases listed for call over and review for 2020 in the Supreme Court of Fiji earlier this month were called via Skype. This was confirmed by Acting Chief Justice Kamal Kumar in a press conference on enhancing the digital services with access to justice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The installation of Skype facilities in 15 corrections centres, Justice Kumar said, was also an opportunity to have the Supreme

Court cases conducted virtually.

He said this was apart from its main purpose of enabling inmates to discuss their cases with their legal representatives and communicate with their relatives.

Fiji Corrections Service Deputy Commissioner, Senior Superintendent Apakuki Qura, said this process was to ensure the minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners.

Ambassador of the European Union Sujiro Seam said the COVID-19 pandemic context had required quick analysis and decisive action to put in place solutions to protect the health and wellbeing of all Fijian citizen.

The Fiji Access to Justice Project supports access to justice, in particular for impoverished and vulnerable groups.

Photo: Ilaijia Ravuwai From left: Deputy Commissioner Fiji Corrections Service Apakuki Qura, European Union Ambassador Sujiro Seam, Acting Chief Justice Kamal Kumar and United Nations Development Programme Pacific Office Fiji Resident Representative Levan Bouadze at the Suva Court Common Room on June 25, 2020.