The hearing concerning Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde’s request for judicial review regarding his salary and benefits suspension did not take place as scheduled. State lawyer Geraldine Naigulevu asked Justice Savenaca Banuve to postpone the hearing because Solicitor-General Ropate Green’s older brother had passed away, prompting the ongoing funeral proceedings today.
Mr. Green serves as the principal counsel for the respondents in this civil case. Ashnil Kumar Narayan, a lawyer from Nadi representing Mr. Pryde, expressed condolences to Mr. Green but emphasized the importance of expediting the matter. He urged that both parties should file their submissions to enable the judge to rule on the request effectively.
The application, initially filed on October 20, challenges what Mr. Pryde describes as unconstitutional, unreasonable, and unlawful actions taken by both the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) and the President of Fiji. According to the court documents, Mr. Pryde aims to vacate the JSC’s recommendation and the President’s decision made on July 25, 2025, which led to the suspension of his salary and benefits “until further notice.” This suspension, as per the JSC, was based on alleged breaches of Mr. Pryde’s service agreement and the conditions specified in a letter dated January 7, 2025.
The sensitivity of the situation, given the unfortunate passing of a family member, highlights the human aspect of legal proceedings. As the case progresses, it will be crucial to observe how the court addresses the constitutional concerns raised by Mr. Pryde while considering the affected parties’ needs.
Leave a comment