Yesterday, Paul Heath was officially added to the judiciary of Fiji. He was sworn in as the new Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of Fiji in a ceremony led by the Fijian President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. Joining them were Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo and Chief Registrar Tomasi Bainivalu.
Originally a New Zealander, Heath qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1978. Prior to his latest appointment, he held the position of Chief Justice of the Pitcairn Islands since January 2022. Heath’s career also includes a tenure as Judge of the High Court of New Zealand between 2002 and 2018, and as a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Vanuatu in 2011.
Heath’s expertise extends beyond the courtroom. Between 2018 and 2024, he acted as an arbitrator in both international and domestic commercial cases, tallying up six international and over 40 domestic arbitrations. He also served as an umpire in two arbitrations.
In his home country of New Zealand, Heath represented clients in all senior courts prior to his 2002 High Court appointment. His experience additionally encompassed the Employment Court, Maori Land Court, and Waitangi Tribunal.
While serving at the High Court of New Zealand, Heath took on a variety of roles. He held positions as an Ad hoc member of the Court of Appeal in both Civil and Criminal Appeal Divisions, was a Senior Puisne Judge, and on two separate occasions, in 2016 and 2017 respectively, served as the Acting Chief High Court Judge.
This information was provided by DEPTFO News.