New Acting Chief Magistrate Sworn In

With his Mum

New chief magistrate Usaia Ratuvili was sworn in at Government House by His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, this morning.

Ratuvili is a product of the University of the South Pacific and one of the first LLB graduates from the university in 1997.



He said he was happy to be given the opportunity and would be industrious in serving the magistracy and leading by example.

He said it has always been his childhood dream to lead in the legal fraternity, a dream nurtured from law school.

The new acting chief magistrate comes in with a lot of experience after stints at some of the nation’s law institutions.

“It has always been a dream since I started law and it is the dream of all law students and law practitioners,” Mr Ratuvili said.

“My mum is also very happy and this is a proud moment for the family and myself personally.”

Hard work has certainly paid for the acting chief magistrate.

He started his law career at FA and Company where he worked from 1999 to 2001 before moving on to the Fiji Human Rights Commission from 2001 to 2007.

Mr Ratuvili also spent some time working with the Australia – Fiji Community Justice Programme before moving over to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Before taking up his new role, Mr Ratuvili served as a resident magistrate in Ba.

--  No:932/MOI