The ranks of Fiji’s judiciary expanded with the induction of Paul Heath, a former Chief Justice of the Pitcairn Islands and Judge of the High Court of New Zealand. Heath was sworn in as the Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of Fiji during a formal ceremony presided over by Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, the President of the Republic of Fiji. Other dignitaries present were Acting Chief Justice Justice Salesi Temo and Chief Registrar Tomasi Bainivalu.
Heath, originally from New Zealand, was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1978. His distinguished career includes service in significant roles such as a Judge of the High Court in New Zealand from 2002 to 2018, and a stint at the Court of Appeal of Vanuatu in 2011. From May 2018 to January 2024, Heath holds the distinction of serving as an arbitrator in several international and domestic commercial arbitrations.
Before his current appointment, Heath served as the Chief Justice of the Pitcairn Islands from January 2022 until now. Notably, during his tenure at the High Court of New Zealand, he held special positions including as Ad hoc member of the Court of Appeal on the Civil Appeal Division and Criminal Appeal Division, Senior Puisne Judge, and served as Acting Chief High Court Judge twice in 2016 and 2017.