The hearing of Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde’s application seeking leave to judicially review decisions made by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) and the President of the Republic of Fiji to suspend his salary, allowances, and benefits did not proceed today.
This morning, State lawyer Geraldine Naigulevu requested Justice Savenaca Banuve to vacate the hearing due to Solicitor-General Ropate Green’s older brother having passed away and the funeral proceedings taking place today.
Mr Green is the principal counsel representing the respondents in this civil case.
Nadi lawyer Ashnil Kumar Narayan of AK Lawyers, representing Mr Pryde, said he sympathises with the respondent; however, he is seeking to have the matter expedited by having parties file their submissions for the judge can make a ruling on the leave application.
The application filed on October 20 this year challenges what Mr Pryde describes as unconstitutional, unreasonable, and unlawful actions by both respondents.
According to court documents filed, Mr Pryde is seeking to quash the JSC’s recommendation and the President’s subsequent decision made on July 25, 2025, which ordered the suspension of his salary and benefits “until further notice.”
The suspension, according to the JSC, stemmed from alleged breaches of Mr Pryde’s service agreement and conditions outlined in a letter issued on January 7, 2025.
