Nauru appoints three new judges to oversee nation’s court
The
Government of Nauru has announced the appointment of a new Chief
Justice and two new justices to oversee court cases on the island
nation.
The
appointments form part of a major reform process undertaken by the
Government of President Baron Waqa, which came to office just over
a year ago. For the first time, more than one judge has been
appointed, removing the limitation of only one justice making all
decisions.
Justice
Minister David Adeang said the Government was elected with a
mandate for change.
"Our
Government is determined to uphold a transparent legal process and
to enact the reform that best serves the people of Nauru," Mr
Adeang said.
In
welcoming the appointments, Mr Adeang said that all three
justices had wide international experience and a reputation for
independence.
"Nauru
is fortunate that jurists of such high calibre have offered their
services to the country.
"Our
Government's agenda is to strengthen the integrity of our legal
system, and these appointments are the next step in that
process."
The
justices will take up their positions over the next few
weeks.
Details
are as follows:
Chief
Justice Mr Joni Madraiwiwi from Fiji- Justice Madraiwiwi is currently a Law
Lord and Privy Councillor of the Kingdom of Tonga. He is a former
Vice President of Fiji. Chief Justice designate Madraiwiwi was a
judge of the High Court of Fiji (1997-2000); Member of the
Sugar Industry Tribunal (1992 - 1997); Permanent Arbitrator for
trade disputes (1991-1997); member of the Solomon Islands Truth and
Reconciliation Commission
(2009-2011).
He is
highly respected as a jurist, intellectual and lawyer and is well
known in the Pacific region and beyond. He has more than 10
years' experience as a judge or judicial officer of equivalent
rank.
Justice
Mr Mohammed Shafi Khan from Australia- Justice Mohammed Khan has over 30
years legal experience. He was admitted as a barrister and
solicitor of the High Court of Fiji in 1979, admitted as a
barrister and solicitor of the High Court of the Australian Capital
Territory (ACT) in 1987, admitted as a solicitor of the High Court
of Queensland in 1988 and admitted as a barrister and solicitor of
the High Court of Victoria in
1988.
He has
more than 17 years' experience as a magistrate in Fiji and the
Solomon Islands.
Justice
Ms Jane Elizabeth Hamilton-White from Australia- Justice Hamilton White has more than
twenty years' legal experience having worked in the Caribbean and
the Pacific as a senior lawyer.
She has
served as a Principal Magistrate in the Solomon Islands where she
spent time also as a senior state prosecutor in the office of the
Director of Public Prosecutions. She is a barrister of the
Supreme Court of Queensland, Australia - Admitted to practice 17th
December 1998.
Ms
Hamilton White will be the first female appointee to the Bench of
the Supreme Court of Nauru.