23 Apr 2009

After repeated delays, Fiji judges now due back next week

5:32 pm on 23 April 2009

Senior judicial appointments are now expected to be made in Fiji by the beginning of next week.

When the 1997 constitution was scrapped two weeks ago, the judiciary was sacked, and thus far, only eight magistrates have been appointed.

Senior judges were to be appointed last week but that was delayed until this week when the military commander and interim prime minister said they would now go ahead next week.

The interim government's spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni, says people have been happy to be appointed.

"We're looking at next week. If not Monday, it'll probably be Tuesday when the judges will be sworn in. You'd be surprised it hasn't been difficult."

Major Neumi Leweni says the government is satisfied by how the emergency regulations that have been imposed are functioning.