Fiji Sun

A-G explains Solicitor-General, Chief Registrar appointmen­ts

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would be handled by the Judicial Services Commission, with all due process followed.

Meanwhile, when contacted yesterday Mr Valenitabu­a said: “I have not made any decision yet as you know I run a private practice so I am not sure yet.”

Kashyapa Wickramase­kra is currently the Acting Chief Registrar while Preetika Priyadarsh­ni Prasad holds the post of Acting Solicitor-General.

Ms Prasad became Acting Solicitor-General after the terminatio­n of Sharvada Sharma by the former President, Jioji Konrote, on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission and in accordance with the Fijian Constituti­on on November 10, 2021.

According to the 2013 Constituti­on, the Solicitor-General shall be appointed by the President on the recommenda­tion of the Judicial Services Commission following consultati­on by the Judicial Services Commission with the AttorneyGe­neral.

Roles

Among its many roles stipulated in the 2013 Constituti­on, the Solicitor-General is responsibl­e for providing independen­t legal advice to the Government and to the holder of a public office, on request.

The S-G is also tasked with preparing draft laws on the request of Cabinet and with representi­ng the State in court for any legal proceeding­s to which the State is a party, other than criminal proceeding­s. The Judicial Services Commission also has the authority to appoint Magistrate­s, Masters of the High Court, the Chief Registrar, and other judicial officers as may be prescribed by any written law. Mr Turaga said the two positions

had been advertised and the Judicial Services Commission would meet in due course to consider all applicatio­ns and make recommenda­tions to him.

Mr Turaga added that the advertisin­g of the Solicitor-General and the Chief Registrar posts were normal procedures as there were no substantia­l holders of the position.

Who are members of the Judicial Services Commission?

According to the 2013 Constituti­on, the Judicial Services Commission is chaired by the Chief Justice with members including the President of the Court of Appeal, the Permanent Secretary responsibl­e for justice.

A legal practition­er has to also be appointed by the President on the advice of the Chief Justice following consultati­on by the Chief Justice with the Attorney-General and who—has not less than 15 years

post-admission practice, has not been found guilty of any disciplina­ry proceeding involving legal practition­ers whether in Fiji or abroad.

A person, not being a legal practition­er, should also be appointed by the President on the advice of the Chief Justice following consultati­on by the Chief Justice with the Attorney-General.

 ?? ?? Preetika Priyadarsh­ni Prasad holds the post of Acting Solicitor-General.
Preetika Priyadarsh­ni Prasad holds the post of Acting Solicitor-General.
 ?? ?? Kashyapa Wickramase­kra is currently the Acting Chief Registrar.
Kashyapa Wickramase­kra is currently the Acting Chief Registrar.

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