BY INDY MAEALASIA

CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer has emphasized the importance of expanding judicial capacity and improving infrastructure to address the ongoing challenges of delays and case backlogs in the High Court.

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 legal year yesterday, Sir Palmer noted that in 2024, the judiciary appointed two new judges: Justice Sylver Aulanga and Justice Michael Collin Pitakaka.

“Their valuable experience and expertise will help alleviate the heavy workload currently faced by judges in the High Court,” he said.

Palmer said the recruitment process is ongoing, with plans to appoint additional judges later this year.

The Chief Justice also emphasized the need for more courtrooms, judges’ chambers, and office space for support staff in the High Court. 

“We are actively seeking innovative solutions to these challenges for example, we are in the process of partitioning Courtroom 5 to create an additional courtroom,” he noted.

“Additionally, we plan to decommission Courtroom 2 to make room for at least two more judges’ chambers and office spaces to accommodate our expanding judicial team,” Sir Palmer added.

In addition, several construction projects to address these space shortages have already been approved and are set to begin this year.

“We kindly ask for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work to resolve these pressing shortages in office space to enhance our capacity to deliver quality justice service,” he added.

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