359:, a human rights group, said that Fatiaki's participation in such anticonstitutional actions should disqualify him from holding the office of Chief Justice, and suggested that as the judiciary had been thoroughly compromised politically, it would be best for the time being to appoint a Chief Justice from outside of Fiji (the constitution allows members of the judiciary, unlike other government officials, to be non-citizens, and it is not unusual for retired judges from other
351:, and drafted decrees abrogating the constitution, abolishing the Supreme Court, making the Chief Justice the President of the Appeal Court, and raising the retirement age of the Chief Justice from 70 years to 75. (These changes were later reversed after a High Court decision reinstating the constitution on 15 November 2000 was upheld by the Appeal Court on 1 March 2001. Rev.
588:
payout, the state would discontinue its investigation into allegations of abuse of office and corruption while he was Chief
Justice, and he in turn would drop (within seven days) all legal proceedings against the interim government. Both sides undertook not to pursue any future legal action against
520:
later accused him of having tried to illegally remove from his office documents that are subject to an investigation into his alleged role in the 2000 coup, claims that
Fatiaki angrily denied. He could not have removed any documents, he said, as two military officers were with him the entire time.
561:, the chief executive officer of the Prime Minister's Office, informed the Chief Registrar's Office that while Fatiaki was suspended, he would be banned from attending any meetings or conferences abroad. From 20 to 24 January, he had been scheduled to attend international meetings of jurists in
494:"I have never ceased to be the Chief Justice of this nation. I have decided that the time is right for me to come back and I am no longer going to wait for people to recall me. People are telling me that I'm voluntarily on leave, well lets see...I voluntarily also return to the office.
474:
on behalf of the JSC, identifying herself as Chair of the JSC, which is in fact a role reserved for the Chief
Justice, recommending the appointment of Gates. He condemned this as a disgrace and a betrayal of trust, and said, contrary to assertions from Shameem and interim
746:"Gateway to Fiji, Fiji News, Fiji eDirectory, Fiji Magic, Fiji Real Estate, Fiji Classifieds, Fiji Dating, Fiji Rugby, Fiji Football, Fiji Jobs, Fijian News, Fijian Music, Fiji Houses for Sale, Fiji Holidays, Fiji Sports, Fiji Picture Gallery, Fiji Business, etc"
512:
along with Police's Elite
Tactical Response Team officers. It is understood that Khan asked Justice Fatiaki to voluntarily vacate the chambers, and later escorted him to a police vehicle reportedly to drop him at his Suva residence. Interim
245:
on 5 December 2006. On 19 January, he was formally suspended, pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct. This investigation was dropped in
December 2008 as part of a deal that involved his formal resignation.
500:
I don't have guns, all I have is my conscience and power of the rule of law. If this government is true to its word and supports the independence of the judiciary then I have nothing to fear at all."
490:
In an act of defiance towards his forced leave and the appointment of
Justice Gates as Acting Chief Justice, on 18 January 2007 Justice Fatiaki returned to work at his office, saying in interviews:
1042:
1016:
793:
497:
At this point in time the acting Chief
Justice ceases to function because I'm back in my office. The Chief Justice is back in his office and back heading the judiciary where he belongs.
640:
to graduate from university. He has 5 brothers - Seforana, John, Alec, Joachim, and
Christopher. He has one sister named Violet. He is married to Martha and has 4 sons. He was made a
374:(who had taken office on 13 July 2000) appointed Fatiaki on his advice, saying he was confident that Fatiaki would maintain the same standards of integrity that Tuivaga had upheld.
994:
584:
Fatiaki formally resigned as Chief
Justice on 5 December 2008. This came as a part of a deal with the interim government, under which he would receive a full pension and a
1268:
1258:
482:, that his leave of absence was forced, not voluntary. Attorney-General Khaiyum said that Shameem had chaired the meeting on his orders, not her own initiative.
1120:
633:. He is the first Rotuman to be appointed to the bench in Fiji, and his appointment as Chief Justice resulted in great public rejoicing on the island.
1243:
1046:
1020:
801:
420:
on 7 January that he had been told to go on leave or be dismissed. Earlier, Fatiaki had said just before the coup that the judiciary would uphold the
1253:
823:
609:
on 2 July 2005, Fatiaki called on the legal profession to uphold standards of integrity. It was important, he said, for the legal profession to be
1263:
878:
508:
soldiers arrived at his office, asking him to leave the premises, followed by a visit to his chambers by the Senior
Superintendent of Police,
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904:
767:
557:
On 22 January, it was announced that on 10 January, a directive from the Prime Minister's Office had banned Fatiaki from leaving Fiji.
461:
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505:
409:
341:
238:
1248:
1228:
318:
275:
191:
321:
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as Acting Chief Justice on 16 January, saying it was unconstitutional and compromised the integrity and independence of the
293:
Fatiaki practiced Law in New Zealand from 1977 to 1979, and in Fiji from 1979 to 1984. He was then appointed to the post of
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1094:
697:
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had signed a decree formally suspending Fatiaki, pending an inquiry into allegations that he had been involved in the
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230:
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Meanwhile, Fatiaki announced on 22 January that he was preparing to take legal action against his suspension.
344:. Mara refused, and resigned. The three Justices subsequently recognised the Interim Military Government of
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360:
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329:
226:
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262:, which enjoys a considerable degree of internal autonomy from Fiji. He moved with his family to
222:
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771:
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He maintained that the most valuable asset of any profession was its collective reputation.
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23:
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for her role in the decision, saying that she had unlawfully chaired a meeting of the
1212:
1198:
995:"Suspended Fiji Chief Justice faces inquiry over alleged misconduct during 2000 coup"
641:
585:
533:
471:
449:
371:
352:
337:
210:
129:
31:
611:"independent of any centres of power, whether public or private, and of any cause."
428:
quoted him on 5 December (the day of the coup) as having told a conference at the
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1098:
705:
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287:
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540:, to the extent of drafting decrees and giving legal advice to coup frontman
52:
637:
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437:
562:
626:
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340:, to abrogate the constitution, in accordance with the wishes of the
259:
255:
221:, till 5 December 2008. As Chief Justice, he presided over both the
158:
154:
704:. New Zealand: Fiji Times Limited. 9 December 2008. Archived from
274:
from 1967 to 1970. He enrolled in the Foundation Programme at the
636:
Fatiaki is the son of Anselmo Fatiaki, who was one of the first
530:
468:
368:
263:
554:
condemned Fatiaki's suspension and threatened legal action.
297:. He later served as Fatiaki was previously Chairman of the
824:"Suspended Fiji chief justice criticises Gates appointment"
363:
countries to be appointed to the bench). Prime Minister
317:
Fatiaki's appointment was not without controversy. Then
1069:"Ousted CJ to mount court challenge – Fiji Times Online"
301:
in 1994 and 1995. Fatiaki has served as a judge on the
1095:"Payout was best deal for Fatiaki – Fiji Times Online"
1157:. Fiji Times Limited. 6 December 2008. Archived from
1127:. Webmasters Limited. 5 December 2008. Archived from
971:. Fiji Times Limited. 19 January 2007. Archived from
941:. Fiji Times Limited. 20 January 2007. Archived from
911:. Fiji Times Limited. 19 January 2007. Archived from
852:. Fiji Times Limited. 17 January 2007. Archived from
448:
Fatiaki condemned as a "disgrace" the appointment of
266:, the Fijian capital, for schooling. After attending
424:
and would go down with it if it were abrogated, the
233:
barred from presiding over, or even sitting on, the
529:On 19 January 2007, it was revealed that President
254:Fatiaki was born in Upu village in the district of
185:
177:
169:
144:
139:
123:
111:
84:
72:
42:
21:
237:. On 3 January 2007, he was sent on leave by the
324:objected on the grounds that in the midst of the
1071:. Fijitimes.com. 22 January 2007. Archived from
770:. Fijitimes.com. 7 January 2007. Archived from
873:
871:
666:
664:
662:
660:
8:
881:. Fijilive. 18 January 2007. Archived from
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217:from 1 August 2002, when he succeeded Sir
18:
768:"Tough choice for CJ – Fiji Times Online"
328:, Fatiaki had joined Tuivaga and Justice
99:1 August 2002 – 3 January 2007 (
656:
597:In an address to the convention of the
1269:University of the South Pacific alumni
1259:Fijian judges on the courts of Vanuatu
416:, sent Fatiaki on leave. He told the
7:
290:, from which he graduated in 1976.
698:"Payout was best deal for Fatiaki"
367:disagreed, however, and President
14:
1121:"Deposed Fiji CJ Fatiaki resigns"
728:"Former CJ heads Nauru judiciary"
444:Criticism of Acting Chief Justice
406:Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama
1244:Fijian people of Rotuman descent
410:Republic of Fiji Military Forces
239:Republic of Fiji Military Forces
208:Taniela (Daniel) Vafo'ou Fatiaki
1254:Companions of the Order of Fiji
1097:. Fijitimes.com. Archived from
879:"Fiji's CJ removed from office"
846:"Gates is acting Chief Justice"
401:government on 5 December 2006,
276:University of the South Pacific
192:University of the South Pacific
642:Companion of the Order of Fiji
295:Commissioner for Oaths in Fiji
268:Marist Brothers Primary School
1:
1264:University of Auckland alumni
905:"Fatiaki taken out of office"
456:. He criticised fellow-Judge
357:Citizens Constitutional Forum
965:"Fatiaki denies suspension"
462:Judicial Service Commission
280:Morris Hedstrom scholarship
272:Marist Brothers High School
1285:
430:Shangri-La's Fijian Resort
381:
299:Fiji Law Reform Commission
278:for one year, and won the
1195:
1186:
1178:
935:"CJ downplays suspension"
313:Controversial appointment
270:, he went on to study at
201:
135:
92:
60:
49:
38:
303:Supreme Court of Vanuatu
1234:Chief justices of Nauru
648:(the golfer), in 2004.
408:, the Commander of the
384:2006 Fijian coup d'état
309:since 29 January 2021.
250:Earlier life and career
149:Taniela Vafo'ou Fatiaki
1249:Fijian Roman Catholics
1229:Chief justices of Fiji
997:. RNZ. 19 January 2007
826:. RNZ. 18 January 2007
504:After this, a team of
502:
338:Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
307:Chief Justice of Nauru
284:University of Auckland
196:University of Auckland
44:Chief Justice of Nauru
1189:Chief Justice of Fiji
1155:The Fiji Times online
969:The Fiji Times Online
939:The Fiji Times Online
909:The Fiji Times Online
850:The Fiji Times Online
702:The Fiji Times Online
492:
464:(JSC) and written to
332:in advising the then
215:Chief Justice of Fiji
87:Chief Justice of Fiji
1049:on 28 September 2007
1023:on 28 September 2007
804:on 28 September 2007
621:Daniel Fatiaki is a
282:to study Law at the
213:(born 1954) was the
518:Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
480:Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
422:Fijian constitution
393:In the wake of the
258:, on the island of
1182:Sir Timoci Tuivaga
1161:on 2 November 2013
1131:on 5 November 2013
1101:on 2 November 2013
1075:on 3 November 2013
975:on 2 November 2013
945:on 2 November 2013
915:on 2 November 2013
885:on 20 January 2007
856:on 2 November 2013
774:on 3 November 2013
708:on 2 November 2013
525:Formally suspended
305:. He has been the
118:Sir Timoci Tuivaga
1207:
1206:
1196:Succeeded by
798:www.fijitv.com.fj
414:President of Fiji
397:that deposed the
349:Frank Bainimarama
326:Fiji coup of 2000
319:Opposition leader
205:
204:
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1179:Preceded by
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1054:
1045:. Archived from
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1019:. Archived from
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800:. Archived from
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685:
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671:Vilsoni, Moira.
668:
644:, together with
625:and a native of
599:Fiji Law Society
548:Fiji Law Society
515:Attorney-General
477:Attorney-General
231:constitutionally
165:, British Empire
140:Personal details
126:
114:
104:5 December 2008
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552:Devanesh Sharma
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365:Laisenia Qarase
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79:Filimone Jitoko
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68:29 January 2021
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34:
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17:
12:
11:
5:
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1239:Rotuman people
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759:
737:
719:
689:
673:"Life Stories"
655:
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623:Roman Catholic
618:
615:
594:
591:
581:
578:
542:George Speight
526:
523:
487:
486:Return to work
484:
458:Nazhat Shameem
445:
442:
440:that weekend.
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382:Main article:
379:
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219:Timoci Tuivaga
203:
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173:Martha Fatiaki
171:
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163:Colony of Fiji
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63:Assumed office
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28:Daniel Fatiaki
27:
24:The Honourable
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1199:Anthony Gates
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1123:. Fiji News.
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848:. Fiji News.
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700:. Fiji News.
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617:Personal life
616:
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603:Warwick Hotel
600:
592:
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579:
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573:, Australia.
572:
568:
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560:
559:Parmesh Chand
555:
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549:
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534:Josefa Iloilo
532:
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491:
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481:
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473:
472:Josefa Iloilo
470:
467:
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459:
455:
451:
450:Anthony Gates
443:
441:
439:
435:
431:
427:
423:
419:
415:
411:
407:
404:
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396:
395:military coup
388:
385:
378:The 2006 coup
377:
375:
373:
372:Josefa Iloilo
370:
366:
362:
358:
354:
353:Akuila Yabaki
350:
347:
343:
339:
335:
331:
330:Michael Scott
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227:Supreme Court
224:
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138:
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131:
130:Anthony Gates
128:
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64:
59:
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48:
45:
41:
37:
33:
25:
20:
1187:
1163:. Retrieved
1159:the original
1154:
1151:"CJ resigns"
1145:
1133:. Retrieved
1129:the original
1124:
1115:
1103:. Retrieved
1099:the original
1089:
1077:. Retrieved
1073:the original
1063:
1051:. Retrieved
1047:the original
1037:
1025:. Retrieved
1021:the original
1011:
999:. Retrieved
989:
977:. Retrieved
973:the original
968:
967:. Archives.
959:
947:. Retrieved
943:the original
938:
929:
917:. Retrieved
913:the original
908:
907:. Archives.
899:
887:. Retrieved
883:the original
858:. Retrieved
854:the original
849:
840:
828:. Retrieved
818:
806:. Retrieved
802:the original
797:
788:
776:. Retrieved
772:the original
762:
750:. Retrieved
740:
731:
722:
710:. Retrieved
706:the original
701:
692:
680:. Retrieved
676:
635:
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610:
596:
583:
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556:
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528:
503:
499:
496:
493:
489:
447:
392:
389:Forced leave
361:Commonwealth
316:
292:
253:
243:seized power
241:, which had
235:Appeal Court
207:
206:
125:Succeeded by
105:
100:
94:
62:
51:
16:Fijian judge
1219:1954 births
1001:26 February
830:26 February
646:Vijay Singh
629:, a Fijian
607:Coral Coast
589:the other.
580:Resignation
412:and Acting
288:New Zealand
113:Preceded by
74:Preceded by
1213:Categories
1193:2002–2008
1165:1 November
1135:1 November
1105:2 November
1079:2 November
1053:22 January
1027:22 January
979:1 November
949:1 November
919:1 November
889:2 November
860:1 November
808:17 January
778:2 November
752:2 November
748:. Fijilive
712:1 November
677:Rotuma.net
652:References
631:Dependency
586:F$ 275,000
550:President
510:Jahir Khan
426:Fiji Times
418:Fiji Times
322:Prem Singh
229:, but was
223:High Court
187:Alma mater
1043:"Fiji TV"
1017:"Fiji TV"
794:"Fiji TV"
732:FijiTimes
682:11 August
569:, and in
538:2000 coup
466:President
454:judiciary
403:Commodore
346:Commodore
334:President
106:(de jure)
101:de facto)
95:In office
85:21st
53:Incumbent
1202:(acting)
1125:fijilive
638:Rotumans
593:Opinions
567:Pakistan
438:Sigatoka
342:Military
225:and the
178:Children
605:on the
563:Karachi
355:of the
627:Rotuma
434:Yanuca
399:Qarase
260:Rotuma
256:Motusa
181:4 sons
170:Spouse
159:Rotuma
155:Motusa
571:Perth
66:
1167:2013
1137:2013
1107:2013
1081:2013
1055:2007
1029:2007
1003:2023
981:2013
951:2013
921:2013
891:2013
862:2013
832:2023
810:2022
780:2013
754:2013
714:2013
684:2015
531:Ratu
506:RFMF
469:Ratu
369:Ratu
264:Suva
152:1954
145:Born
601:at
432:in
286:in
1215::
1153:.
870:^
796:.
730:.
675:.
659:^
565:,
544:.
436:,
336:,
211:CF
161:,
157:,
32:CF
1169:.
1139:.
1109:.
1083:.
1057:.
1031:.
1005:.
983:.
953:.
923:.
893:.
864:.
834:.
812:.
782:.
756:.
734:.
716:.
686:.
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