The Supreme Court of Fiji has concluded hearings on the constitutional reference concerning the 2013 Constitution, with Chief Justice Salesi Temo signaling that a judgment notice will be issued as soon as possible. After proceedings, CJ Temo emphasized the importance of public awareness and transparency, noting that it is beneficial for mass media to cover the case so the public record remains accessible for scrutiny.
The court’s focus remains the interpretation of the amendment provisions in the 2013 Constitution, specifically the processes and thresholds required for constitutional change. The advisory opinion is intended to clarify how amendments to the constitution should be approached under the current framework.
Hearings were originally scheduled to run from August 18 to 22 to allow all nine interveners time to present their submissions. However, the court completed proceedings in three days, suggesting that the judgment could be delivered sooner than the initially envisaged timetable. It had been anticipated that the judgment would come by September 5, but the early close of hearings creates the possibility of an earlier ruling.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka commented on the proceedings, acknowledging that each intervener had their own submissions while noting that the State had presented both written and oral submissions. He added that the government would “leave it to the judges” to determine the outcome.
This case sits at the heart of Fiji’s broader constitutional reform discussions, focusing on the amendment provisions of the 2013 Constitution and the related questions about the status of previous constitutional instruments. The Cabinet’s decision to refer these issues to the Supreme Court underscores a communal pursuit of clarity and a governance framework that better reflects the will of the Fijian people.
As the court proceeds with delivering its judgment, there is renewed hope that the process will yield greater legal clarity and a more inclusive pathway for constitutional reform, reinforcing public trust in Fiji’s democratic institutions.
Summary: The Fiji Supreme Court finished the constitutional reference hearings on the 2013 Constitution, with a judgment expected soon and emphasis on public transparency. The case centers on how amendments should be interpreted under the 2013 framework, after the Cabinet referred the questions to the Court. The development is framed as part of an ongoing push for clearer, more inclusive constitutional reform.
Value-added note: This update highlights the ongoing balance between legal precision and public participation in constitutional reform, an important factor for maintaining trust in Fiji’s democratic process. If you’re covering long-term governance impacts, tracking the court’s reasoning on amendment thresholds and how it interacts with past constitutional instruments could provide readers with deeper insights into Fiji’s evolving constitutional landscape.
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