The Office of the Attorney General has confirmed it received the Civil Rules Review Report from Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo last month.
The report was crafted by the Civil Division Rules Committee, composed of judges and magistrates, under the chairmanship of Justice Anare Tuilevuka. Acting Chief Justice Temo had tasked the committee with reviewing the existing High Court and Magistrates Court Rules to improve case management.
This initiative stemmed from concerns over chronic delays in the civil justice system, which have been eroding public confidence in the Judiciary.
The review seeks to tackle one of the primary causes of these delays. The report identifies issues within the current High Court and Magistrates Court Rules and offers solutions based on the judicial officers’ collective experiences.
Proposed changes include shortening timelines for both interlocutory and final applications and determinations, instituting pre-trial conferences with judicial officers from the first call, and mandating mediation.
The Office Attorney General, through the Director Law Reform Commission, plans to conduct further consultations with stakeholders and the public before presenting the draft amendments.