The term justice is invoked far more often today than at any other time in our history.
A grieving mother who loses her child in a road accident longs for justice. Workers unfairly dismissed from their jobs demand justice. A consumer cheated by an unscrupulous trader seeks justice. But do our systems truly deliver justice?
That question is best left for each of us to answer, because in today’s more enlightened society, every individual holds a unique definition and expectation of what justice means.
Across the political spectrum and throughout human history, however, justice has consistently been characterised by three basic principles: equality, order, and above all, righteousness.
Taxpayers and citizens expect nothing less from our legal system. After all, the judiciary is the final arbiter of disputes, the interpreter of our laws, and the ultimate dispenser of punishment for those who break them.
As 1 John 2:29 reminds us: “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”
Guided by this powerful Biblical truth, we should be left in no doubt that the honourable justices and magistrates of our courts — as well as those serving in every institution of law — are called to be defenders of God’s will on this blue planet.
But how well is this sacred obligation being met in Fiji and across the Pacific today?
Global challenge and local struggle
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 16 calls on nations to build peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and ensuring accountable institutions.
However, recent findings from a report published this year by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), revealed Fiji’s continuing shortfalls.
Exorbitant legal fees, limited legal aid, geographic isolation, and distrust in both the judiciary and police continue to remain as significant barriers for women in particular who seek justice.
The Legal Aid Commission, enshrined under Fiji’s 2013 Constitution, is intended to be a cornerstone of fairness by providing free legal services to those earning under $30,000 per annum.
However, experts argue that a “health check” is long overdue to determine its real impact.
Dr Jalesi Nakarawa, in an op-ed for The Fiji Times last year, emphasised the need for a comprehensive review of the commission’s funding and efficiency.
“The impact of free legal aid on the justice system needs to be given a health check,” he wrote, calling for greater scrutiny of how well the system serves the marginalised.
Innovation from the grassroots
While the bureaucracy wrestle with addressing red tape issues and structural reforms, the youth have resorted to innovation to ensure the fair and equitable access to justice.
Catherine Mahima Singh, a fourth-year law student from the University of the South Pacific (USP) is one such individual.
Representing Fiji at the Falling Walls Lab in New Zealand, Singh was the only participant from the Pacific at this global forum for innovators and changemakers.
Her pitch titled ‘Breaking the Wall of Legal Inaccessibility’ called for an AI-powered legal companion designed to help those who struggle to access legal advice.
“Imagine being in a legal crisis, confused, silenced, and unsure of what your rights even are,” Singh told the audience.
“Now imagine you’re blind, a school dropout, or living in a remote village where custom overrides state law. For many across the Pacific, this isn’t imagination — it’s daily life.”
Her vision is for technology that can simplify complex legal language, guide users through step-by-step processes, support people with disabilities through speech and sign functions, and connect individuals with pro bono lawyers and NGOs.
Accessible via phones, laptops, or even solar-powered booths in rural areas, Singh’s idea seeks to put the law directly into the hands of those who need it most.
Building foundations
As of now, Singh is setting a strong foundation through her grassroots project, Law in Our Hands, where she acts as the “AI” engaging directly with communities, utilising storytelling and illustrations to simplify complex legal concepts and rights.
Her work as a peer mentor for students with disabilities has also exposed her to the everyday obstacles people face when confronted with legal systems.
“Justice should reach people even when systems don’t,” she said.
“With the right support, we can create a tool that places rights not just in courtrooms, but in everyday lives.”
Justice beyond the courtroom
The public discourse over justice in Fiji is an illustration of volatile global and local hurdles.
While international foundations such as SDG 16 encourage nations to continue to improve access and accountability, significant and tangible progress often comes down to the lived experiences of people on the ground.
The pursuit of a balanced, efficient, and affordable access to justice continues to remain a work in progress, despite the amount of institutional reform or grassroots innovation.
Catherine Mahima Singh’s work underscores a sobering fact for all of us, which is that justice is not and cannot remain the privilege of a few.
It is a fundamental human right and principle which not only respects internal goals or constitutional conventions, but a moral duty of equity and righteousness.
