The High Court in Suva has granted leave for a judicial review in a case challenging the suspension of the salary, allowances and benefits of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
In a ruling delivered yesterday, High Court Judge Justice Savenaca Banuve approved the application filed by Christopher Pryde, allowing the matter to proceed to a full judicial review hearing.
The application arises from decisions made on or about 25 July 2025, where the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) recommended to the President of the Republic of Fiji that Mr Pryde’s salary and benefits be suspended.
The President subsequently acted on that recommendation, purportedly under section 117(5) of the Constitution, citing an alleged breach of clause one of Mr Pryde’s service agreement and failure to meet conditions outlined in a letter dated 7 January 2025.
Mr Pryde filed an inter partes summons on 22 October 2025, seeking leave to challenge both the JSC’s recommendation and the President’s decision.
In granting leave, Justice Banuve found that the application met the threshold required for judicial review, allowing the court to examine whether the decisions were lawfully made and consistent with constitutional requirements.
The respondents in the matter are the Judicial Services Commission as the first respondent and the President of the Republic of Fiji as the second respondent.
The substantive judicial review is expected to address the legality and procedural fairness of the decisions to suspend the DPP’s remuneration and benefits.
