Please no one, but your conscience!

Those were the words of Acting Chief Justice Anthony Gates as he addressed newly appointed Resident Magistrates during their orientation course this morning.

Justice Gates highlighted that the short programme of lectures involving the new resident magistrates should bring home that by becoming a judicial officer, they are bound by different considerations than when they were simple lawyers.

He told the magistrates that in carrying out their functions, they must be honest, apply principles and avoid being arbitrary.

The Acting CJ also said that when things have thawed on the political front, no doubt Australia and New Zealand will reopen their facilities for judicial studies while India has already said that judicial officers from Fiji can attend their prestigious Judicial Academy.

The orientation programme for new resident Magistrates will run for three days.