New Zealand lawyer Janet Mason, who had a medical certificate stating she was “unfit for work,” accepted a role as counsel assisting the Commission of Inquiry (COI) led by David Ashton-Lewis in October 2024. The COI was established by former Fiji President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere to investigate the appointment of Barbara Malimali as the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). While preliminary work began in November, Mason later produced the medical certificate in her appeal against a disciplinary tribunal order that mandated a three-month suspension from legal practice due to previous professional conduct issues.
The certificate, dated August 26, 2024, asserted that Mason was unfit for work until December 31, 2024. Justice Geoffrey Venning, in a July 18 judgment, expressed skepticism towards her claim that the COI role helped alleviate her stress. He noted that Mason had disregarded her doctor’s advice by undertaking this demanding position and described her medical certificate as overly vague and not compliant with the standards required for such documentation.
These challenges surrounding Mason’s career have also emerged amid previous disciplinary actions, including a one-month suspension recently imposed by the High Court in New Zealand, following her failure to meet a training order. This ruling was viewed by the Fiji Law Society as a potential risk to the integrity of the inquiry, prompting them to suggest that she should consider stepping aside temporarily from her role in the COI.
The situation illustrates critical concerns regarding professional accountability and ethical practices within the legal system, particularly in politically sensitive cases like that of FICAC. While there are ongoing legal and professional challenges for Mason, there remains a hopeful outlook that the inquiry could yield significant reforms in governance and restore public trust in legal standards in Fiji.
Mason’s commitment to addressing these issues suggests determination to improve integrity within the legal profession as this inquiry unfolds. Stakeholders are cautiously optimistic that the outcome will bring about necessary changes that reinforce ethical governance in Fiji’s institutions.
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