Nauru President David Adeang yesterday appointed Fijian lawyer Jay Udit as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Nauru, in a ceremony witnessed by Cabinet ministers, senior government officials and members of the judiciary.
Mr Udit brings more than three decades of legal experience to the role, having practised law for 33 years across a wide range of areas including constitutional law, legislative drafting and land matters.
He joined Nauru’s Department of Justice and Border Control (JBC) in 2015 and went on to serve three years as Solicitor General before being appointed Secretary for JBC in 2019.
During his tenure in Nauru’s justice sector, Mr Udit has been closely involved in significant legal and institutional reforms. Among his key contributions was leading the country’s law revision project, aimed at modernising and consolidating Nauru’s legislative framework.
Under Article 49(1) of the Constitution of Nauru, the Chief Justice, as head of the judiciary, is appointed by the President. Mr Udit’s appointment is seen as a strengthening of the judiciary, drawing on his extensive regional experience and familiarity with Nauru’s legal system.
Prior to his service in Nauru, Mr Udit had a distinguished legal career in Fiji.
He made history in 2005 when he became the first Master of the High Court of Fiji, an appointment that marked a significant milestone in the country’s judicial administration.
However, his appointment, along with those of all other judges and magistrates, was revoked following the abrogation of Fiji’s 1997 Constitution on 10 April 2009.
Mr Udit’s elevation to Chief Justice marks a notable regional appointment and underscores the close professional ties within Pacific judiciaries.
