14 Feb 2011

Solomon's Bar Association defends independence of the judiciary

11:33 am on 14 February 2011

The Solomon Islands Bar Association has condemned the so-called intelligence report from the government.

The Association says that it intentionally discredited the function of the judiciary.

In a letter sent to Solomon Star, the president of the Bar Association, Rodney Kingmele, said all the judges of the High Court and the Court of Appeal are appointed under the constitution of Solomon Islands, by the Governor General acting in accordance with the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission

He said the Commission is comprised of Solomon Islanders and none of then is an expatriate.

Mr Kingmele states that it cannot be said that the judiciary is controlled by Australia or any other external influences when they are not involved at any stage of the appointment of judicial officers.

The letter said the listing of particular case before a particular judge had nothing to do with the political affiliation of the accused nor was open to influence by the Australian government or RAMSI