A former lawyer and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ronald Kermode, took his seat as a new judge of the Fiji Supreme Court at the opening of the 1976 criminal sessions in Suva.
A report on his appointment was published in The Fiji Times on January 13, 1976.
In welcoming him to the bench, the then Chief Justice, Clifford Grant, said Justice Kermode had been a leading member of the legal profession in Fiji for many years.
“His sterling service to the community is well known and there is no need for me to recapitulate it,” the Chief Justice said.
Justice Kermode, 56, was sworn in to his new position by the Governor General, Ratu Sir George Cakobau.
He was also welcomed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Andrew Deoki, and the president of the Fiji Law Society, Narend Singh Arjun.
Mr Deoki said as the Speaker of Parliament, Justice Kermode — despite the fact that he was a staunch member of the ruling Alliance Party — displayed a strong sense of independence.
“He was firm and yet patient, he was unbiased and impartial,” he said.
“These qualities which he possesses are necessary for a judge.”
Mr Deoki said it was a great pity both political parties did not retain his services as Speaker.
“A loss to Parliament has meant a gain to the judiciary, and thereby, a gain to this country as he is able and well suited to the high position of a judge.”
Mr Arjun said Justice Kermode would doubtlessly be aware of the difficulties of practitioners and members of the Bar and assured him of the co-operation and support of members of the law society.
Justice Kermode was awarded the CBE in the New Year’s honours list.
He was born in Nadi and educated at the Suva Grammar School, Whangarei High School, New Zealand and Auckland University.
He held a Bachelor of Law degree and was previously a barrister and solicitor practising in Suva.
In 1945, after war service as a captain with the Fiji Military Forces, he joined the Fiji law firm of Munro, Warren, Leys and was admitted to partnership in 1960.
He was elected a European member of the Legislative Council in 1958 and was re-elected in 1959 and 1963.
He was a member of the Executive Council from 1963 to 1966.
Justice Kermode became Speaker of the Legislative Council in 1966 and after Independence carried on as Speaker of the House of Representatives until 1972 when he did not stand for re-election.
He had also served as the director of South Pacific Sugar Mills Ltd and also acted as arbitrator in a number of industrial disputes.
