The High Court judgment on legal challenges to findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the appointment of former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali has been deferred to Friday.
Justice Dane Tuiqereqere told the parties this afternoon that the ruling was not ready, noting that the decision would be “particularly long”.
The matters have now been adjourned to 2.30pm on Friday, August 14, with Justice Tuiqereqere saying he would do his best to complete the judgment by then.
The judicial review proceedings involve former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, former Attorney-General Graham Leung, Fiji Law Society president Wylie Clarke and lawyer Laurel Vaurasi.
The four applicants have separately challenged findings made against them arising from the Commission of Inquiry into Malimali’s appointment as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Malimali’s proceeding, HBJ 09/2025, names the Commission of Inquiry, the President, the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General as respondents. She is represented by Waqanika Law.
A separate proceeding, HBJ 10/2025, has been brought by Clarke and Vaurasi, who have also named the Commission of Inquiry, the President, the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General as respondents. They are represented by Howards Lawyers.
Leung’s proceeding, HBJ 11/2025, names the Commission of Inquiry and the Attorney-General as respondents. He is represented by Fatiaki Law.
The judgment is expected to determine the legal challenges brought by the four applicants over findings concerning them in the Commission of Inquiry report.
The Commission was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner.
All three matters will now return before Justice Tuiqereqere on Friday afternoon for the anticipated judgment.
