The judiciary of Fiji celebrated a new addition to its team with the swearing in of Paul Heath yesterday at the State House. The newly-inaugurated Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of Fiji was officially sworn into his position by Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, the President of the Republic of Fiji. Acting Chief Justice Justice Salesi Temo and Chief Registrar Tomasi Bainivalu were also present at the ceremony.
Originating from New Zealand, Mr. Heath was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand back in 1978. Prior to his new role in Fiji, he served as the Chief Justice of the Pitcairn Islands from January 2022 up to his recent appointment.
Mr. Heath has an extensive career, having held the position of Judge of the High Court of New Zealand from March 2002 till April 2018 and served as a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Vanuatu in 2011. Between May 2018 and January 2024, he was appointed as an arbitrator in six international and over 40 domestic commercial arbitrations, as well as an umpire in two more arbitrations.
In addition to his prominent roles, Mr. Heath successfully represented clients in all senior New Zealand courts before his High Court Bench appointment in 2002, such as the Employment Court, Maori Land Court, and the Waitangi Tribunal. During his tenure as a judge at the High Court of New Zealand, Mr. Heath held several roles including, Ad hoc member of the Court of Appeal for both the Civil and Criminal Appeal divisions, Senior Puisne Judge, and even Acting Chief High Court Judge on two separate occasions, in 2016 and 2017.
Source: DEPTFO News