The Judiciary of Fiji has announced that the Fiji Court of Appeal’s November 2025 session will be held in Ba, marking the first time the Court will sit outside the capital, Suva.
The hearings will take place from November 3 to 14, and are being hailed as a landmark step in taking justice closer to the people.
Chief Registrar Tomasi Bainivalu said the move was made possible as court facilities outside Suva continue to develop.
“This is an effort to increase access to justice and to send the message that the courts of Fiji are for all the people, not just for those who live in Suva,” Mr Bainivalu said in a statement today.
The session will be presided over by Isikeli Mataitoga, President of the Court of Appeal, who will lead a team of senior Justices of Appeal from Fiji along with three Justices from Australia and New Zealand.
The Court will sit with its full quorum, including members of an ad-hoc panel.
According to the Judiciary, this initiative reflects its broader goal of decentralising judicial services and ensuring that all Fijians, regardless of location, have meaningful access to the appellate system.
Chief Justice Hon. Mr Justice Salesi Temo welcomed the decision, describing it as a progressive and inclusive move.
“Taking the Court of Appeal to Ba is a progressive step in making the judiciary more accessible and inclusive. It reflects our commitment to reaching people where they are,” Chief Justice Temo said.
Members of the public, legal practitioners, and the media are invited to observe the proceedings, subject to courtroom protocols and security arrangements.
