Naomi Matanitobua
Encyclopedia
Naomi Matanitobua is a Fiji
an judge
, who took office as Fiji's Chief Magistrate
on 14 December 2005, succeeding David Balram. Her term of appointment is for three years.
Matanitobua's first application for the position, in 2002, was not successful. She was determined to dispel the impression, she said, that women cannot occupy senior judicial offices.
Her legal career began as a temporary relieving court clerk in 1980. By 1999, she had become a resident magistrate
.
which deposed the Qarase
government on 5 December 2006, Matanitobua was sent on paid leave until further notice, along with Chief Justice
Daniel Fatiaki
, on 3 January 2007. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=55697 The military administration said it wanted to conduct an investigation into the judiciary. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=54754 The investigation would cover allegations that members of the judiciary had been implicated in an earlier coup in 2000. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=55082
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
, who took office as Fiji's Chief Magistrate
Chief Magistrate (Fiji)
The Chief Magistrate is a judicial officer in the government of Fiji, who presides over the Magistrates Courts.The following persons have held office as Chief Magistrate :*Sekove Naqiolevu*Sailesi Temo*Naomi Matanitobua...
on 14 December 2005, succeeding David Balram. Her term of appointment is for three years.
Matanitobua's first application for the position, in 2002, was not successful. She was determined to dispel the impression, she said, that women cannot occupy senior judicial offices.
Her legal career began as a temporary relieving court clerk in 1980. By 1999, she had become a resident magistrate
Magistrate
A magistrate is an officer of the state; in modern usage the term usually refers to a judge or prosecutor. This was not always the case; in ancient Rome, a magistratus was one of the highest government officers and possessed both judicial and executive powers. Today, in common law systems, a...
.
2006 coup d'état
In the wake of the military coup2006 Fijian coup d'état
The Fijian coup d'état of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état and 2005-2006 Fijian political crisis....
which deposed the Qarase
Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase is a Fijian political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment...
government on 5 December 2006, Matanitobua was sent on paid leave until further notice, along with Chief Justice
Chief Justice (Fiji)
The Chief Justice is Fiji's highest judicial officer. He or she is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is required by the Constitution to consult the Leader of the Opposition. This does not give the Leader of the Opposition a veto, only the right to be consulted. ...
Daniel Fatiaki
Daniel Fatiaki
Taniela Vafo'ou Fatiaki CF was the Chief Justice of Fiji from 1 August 2002, when he succeeded Sir Timoci Tuivaga, till 5 December 2008. As Chief Justice, he presided over both the High Court and the Supreme Court, but is constitutionally barred from presiding over, or even sitting on, the...
, on 3 January 2007. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=55697 The military administration said it wanted to conduct an investigation into the judiciary. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=54754 The investigation would cover allegations that members of the judiciary had been implicated in an earlier coup in 2000. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=55082