News

Fiji Interim Government issues Decree to terminate court proceedings

Posted 07 May 2010

The new Natadola Bay Development Decree will now terminate all pending court proceedings against the project.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said any challenges in court against the forfeiture of shares, the transfer of property or any decision made by Finance Minister or any state official will also be excluded. “This paves a way for the Natadola Bay Resort Limited (NBRL) and Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) to make advancements into the development into the Natadola bay without any legal or administrative hurdles,” he said.

Tonga Law Society defends Attorney-General

Posted 05 May 2010

Tonga's Attorney-General, Mr John Cauchi SC, resigned last week claiming that the Tongan Government was trying "to destroy the integrity and independence of the judiciary" by interfering in a Royal Commission probe into a fatal ferry sinking last year.

He said the Tongan Government's approach to judicial appointments was looking like that of Fiji, where the constitution was scrapped by the Bainimarama regime and judges sacked.

Tongan Government denies judiciary interference

Posted 03 May 2010

The Tongan Government has hit back at claims it is trying to control the judiciary, saying it is a matter to be decided only by Tongans.

Over the past few months Tongan Cabinet members have been accused of interfering in the court process, and as a result, the Kingdom's first independent Attorney-General, Mr John Cauchi SC, has quit.

“I can't manage that sort of duplicitous behaviour,”said Mr Cauchi, in reference to the Tongan Government.

Tongan Government criticises Attorney-General

Posted 30 Apr 2010

Tonga's Attorney-General is quitting his post, alleging the Kingdom's government is trying to interfere with the legal system to stop people being prosecuted over the sinking of the ferry Princess Ashika.

Australian Mr John Cauchi, SC, has issued a strongly worded three page statement resigning and alleging the Tongan Government is out "to destroy the integrity and independence of the judiciary".

He said the government tried to change a Royal Commission report into the Ashika sinking.

Fiji Law Society President in professional probe

Posted 28 Apr 2010

Radio New Zealand International has noted the Fiji Law Society President, Dorsami Naidu, will appear before the Legal Services Commission on charges relating to professional conduct.

As the Legal Practitioners Decree declared membership of the Fiji Law Society voluntary, professional complaints are now heard by the Legal Services Commission.  It is now the Commission’s responsibility to take carriage of complaints previously handled by the Fiji Law Society.

Amnesty International says decrees will allow regime to commit more abuses

Posted 14 Apr 2010

Amnesty International says new decrees issued by the interim regime in Fiji will enable it to commit more abuses with impunity.

The Fiji interim government is yet to formally comment on a decree which gives those involved in the 2000 and 2006 coups immunity from prosecution and civil liability.

It also released a draft media decree which could enable the jailing or fining of journalists who breach planned content regulations.

Independent Legal Services Commission for Fiji

Posted 30 Jan 2010

 

Complaints against lawyers in Fiji will now be dealt with independently and fairly instead of being assessed by their own peers as was the previous practice, says the country’s top legal adviser Aiyaz-Sayed Khaiyum

Gadens withdraws from PNG fraud case after threats

Posted 23 Jan 2010

An Australian law firm has reportedly withdrawn from representing Papua New Guinea's largest financial institution after its staff were threatened by armed thugs in Port Moresby.

The Australian reports that Gadens Lawyers had been representing Bank South Pacific in a court action where the bank is attempting to recover money from a company owned by former MP and policeman, Peter Yama.

This month, two Australians who worked for the bank were arrested after Mr Yama accused them of attempting to defeat the course of justice.

Fiji Law Society notes fresh purge of judiciary

Posted 08 Jan 2010

Fiji Law Society president, Dorsami Naidu

The Fiji Law Society president, Dorsami Naidu, says the Fijian administration is further purging the justice sector of people who don’t toe the line.

Three magistrates and several public prosecutors have been sacked this week without the public being given an explanation.

Gunmen try to kill corruption fighter - Papua New Guinea

Posted 16 Dec 2009

Papua New Guinea's anti-corruption boss has been shot and seriously wounded in an assassination attempt outside his home in Port Moresby.

PNG's chief ombudsman, Chronox Manek, was left for dead after gunmen fired through the windscreen of his Nissan Patrol on Friday night.

From hospital, Mr Manek told the newspaper the National that a bullet went through his shoulder. Another shot was fired at his right chest, but might have bounced off a door, he said.