SIX law graduates were admitted to the Fiji High Court Bar in what was described as one of the biggest occasions of its kind.
The Fiji Times reported on March 3, 1993 that acting chief justice Sir Moti Tikaram admitted the six, all graduates from Bond University in Queensland, Australia.
They were Walter Rigamoto, Vuetaki Rupeni, Samuela Vadei, Kiniviliame Keteca, Tevita Bukarau and Rakuita Vakalabure.
In a crowded Supreme Court, attorney-general Kelemedi Bulewa moved the petitions of Mr Rigamoto and Mr Rupeni, while the Director of Public Prosecutions, Isikeli Mataitoga, moved the petitions of the other four lawyers who were army officers.
Mr Bulewa described the occasion as a landmark in the history of the legal profession in Fiji “as it marked the event of the admission of the largest single group of ethnic Fijians and Rotumans into the Bar”.
Mr Mataitoga said the occasion may never be seen again.
The ceremony was almost parallel to the grand opening of the Fiji Court of Appeal last year.
Following the admission, Sir Moti urged lawyers not to refuse legal aid briefs to be given by the government to help accused people in criminal cases.
“The funds allocated for legal aid is of necessity limited, and so every effort is made to confine its use to serious criminal cases only.
“Even then courts have great difficulty in persuading lawyers to accept legal aid briefs because most practitioners consider the rate of remuneration very low,” he said.
He reminded lawyers in private practice that they were part of a privileged society and should not forget the underprivileged by accepting legal aid briefs.
Sir Moti said the acceptance of legal aid briefs would allow lawyers to fulfil part of their duty towards society.
“Let not our society perceive law practitioners as perpetrators of conflict but rather as healers of conflict.”
He emphasised the need for independence in the judiciary and for equality in access to the courts by the rich and the poor.
Sir Moti advised that the law was at their disposal, they should use it to change, and they should use it well.
Mr Bulewa, speaking as the Leader of the Bar, said he hoped that he would be able to see another occasion during his term in office.
