Fiji’s civil procedure rules are being formally reviewed in a move aimed at making the justice system faster and more accessible, the Fiji Law Reform Commission (FLRC) has confirmed. FLRC Director Raijeli Tuivaga said the review, undertaken in collaboration with the Judicial Department, follows the appointment of a Civil Rules Review Committee to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the rules that govern civil court proceedings.
“The review will include stakeholder consultations and draw on international best practices,” Tuivaga said, describing the appointment as “an important step toward strengthening Fiji’s justice system.” She said the committee’s work would be critical to ensuring the civil justice system “remains responsive to the needs of its users,” with particular emphasis on improving efficiency, accessibility and the timely administration of justice.
The Civil Rules Review Committee is chaired by Resident Justice of Appeal Alipate Qetaki and includes Justices Senileba Levaci and Mohammed Azhar. Tuivaga said the panel “brings together a wealth of judicial and legal expertise” to steer the review and develop recommendations for reform.
Justice Qetaki, who will chair the committee, brings more than four decades of judicial service as well as experience in public administration and legislative drafting. His career has included serving as Executive Chairperson of the FLRC and as Fiji’s first Parliamentary Counsel, roles that Tuivaga said equip him to lead a rules overhaul that touches both court practice and statutory interpretation.
Justice Levaci’s background spans civil litigation, corporate law and policy, with experience across the judiciary, private legal practice and the public sector. Acting Justice Azhar contributes judicial experience from both Fiji and Sri Lanka alongside expertise in international trade law and private legal practice. The combination of practical courtroom experience and legislative and policy know-how is intended to inform a review that balances procedural rigour with access to justice.
Tuivaga noted the significance of the timing: Fiji’s civil procedure framework has not undergone a major, comprehensive overhaul in decades and remains largely based on rules established in the 1980s, primarily the High Court Rules 1988, with some related procedures dating back even further. That reliance on older frameworks has prompted calls from across the legal community to reassess procedural tools in light of current demands on courts and litigants.
The committee is expected to consult broadly with stakeholders across the legal profession, the judiciary and the public to identify areas where procedural changes could reduce delays and improve certainty for court users. Tuivaga said the review will seek to align reforms with international best practices, although she did not provide a timeline for consultations or final recommendations.
The FLRC and Judicial Department will be watching the committee’s findings closely. Any recommendations are likely to shape how civil matters are managed in Fiji’s courts and could lead to legislative or rule amendments designed to expedite case handling and increase accessibility for litigants.
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