CHIEF Justice Salesi Temo has announced ongoing reforms to Fiji’s civil court rules to speed up legal proceedings and prevent lengthy case delays.

He shared this yesterday while speaking to a group of newly admitted legal practitioners, where he highlighted the issue of “slow-moving cases”.

He revealed he was still dealing with some legal disputes from the 1990s and early 2000s.

Justice Temo stressed the importance of trial within a reasonable time, referencing Section 15(3) of the Constitution, which guaranteed this right.

“Right now, we are in the middle of reforming the civil rules,” he said.

“Some cases go on for 10 to 20 years with no resolution. That is why we are making these changes.”

Justice Temo explained that Fiji’s judicial system operated in multiple stages, beginning at the Magistrates Court and moving up through the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.

“So as lawyers, your job is to assist the court, make a decision in the criminal case within two years.

“Because what we find that the pace of proceedings is often too slow.

“And as a result, people die without seeing the consequences of their legal proceedings.”

As part of the civil rule reforms, senior lawyers and legal practitioners will be consulted to help improve the legal process and ensure that cases are handled efficiently.

Justice Temo reaffirmed his commitment to making the judiciary more effective, ensuring that litigants no longer have to wait years, sometimes decades, for justice.