The Supreme Court has confirmed the full timetable for the hearing of the constitutional reference on the 2013 Constitution, with a ruling expected in early September.
The schedule was finalised yesterday by Chief Justice Salesi Temo and Court of Appeal president Justice Isikeli Mataitoga, following a directions hearing involving all intervening parties.
The case, which seeks the court’s opinion on the legal status and implications of the 2013 Constitution, will unfold in phases over the coming weeks.
Ten interveners are participating in the matter, including political parties, the State, and civil society groups.
Chief Justice Temo said the court had initially expected the State to present its stance on five key constitutional questions by this stage, but this had not yet occurred.
The court has directed all interveners to file their own independent responses to the questions.
Interveners now have four weeks to lodge and serve their submissions, with a directions’ hearing scheduled for July 18 to confirm compliance.
A further three-week window has been allocated for reply to submissions.
The court will reconvene on August 8 to confirm all documentation is in order ahead of oral arguments, which are scheduled to take place from August 11 to 22.
During that time, judges will review written submissions and hear final oral arguments from all parties.
A ruling is expected on September 5.
“Because time is of the essence, we can’t wait,” Justice Temo said.
“We are bringing in judges, which you the taxpayers will have to pay for. The more that you adjourn, the more the bill goes up.”
All parties are due back in court before Chief Justice Temo on July 18 for confirmation of final submissions, ahead of the full hearing on the constitutional reference.
