The judiciary in Fiji has expanded with the induction of Paul Heath. He took on his new role as Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of Fiji during a ceremony at the State House. The ceremony was overseen by Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, the President of the Republic of Fiji, Acting Chief Justice Justice Salesi Temo, and Chief Registrar Tomasi Bainivalu.
Paul Heath, originally from New Zealand, was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1978. Most recently, he functioned as Chief Justice of the Pitcairn Islands from January 2022.
Mr Heath’s law career includes positions as Judge of the High Court of New Zealand from March 2002 until April 2018, as well as a stint as Judge of the Court of Appeal of Vanuatu in 2011. From May 2018 until January 2024, he also served as an arbitrator in several international and domestic commercial arbitrations, and as an umpire in two arbitrations.
In New Zealand, before his appointment to the High Court Bench in 2002, he worked as counsel in various senior courts, the Employment Court, Maori Land Court, and Waitangi Tribunal. While serving in the High Court of New Zealand, he held multiple positions including Ad hoc member of the Court of Appeal, both in the Civil Appeal Division and Criminal Appeal Division, Senior Puisne Judge, and Acting Chief High Court Judge in 2016 and 2017.
(Source: DEPTFO News)