A-G explains Solicitor-General, Chief Registrar appointments
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.