The Independant Tribunal appointed to conduct an inquiry against the suspended Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki has been adjourned until the matter regarding its jurisdiction is decided by the courts.

This comes after a request from Justice Fatiaki's lawyers that the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo refer the matter regarding the validity and jurisdiction of the Tribunal to the Supreme Court for a decision was declined by the Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum.

Counsel to the Tribunal Clive Grossman revealed that the interim government stance is that any such proceeding would duplicate the court cases which are currently before the courts challenging the legality of the interim government’s actions.

Tribunal Chairman Justice Roberty Ellicot then stressed that the matter regarding the validity and the jurisdiction of the tribunal cannot be avoided and must be dealt with.

Justice Fatiaki's QC Grant Illingworth assured the Tribunal that a seperate legal action seeking a judicial review to clarify the powers of the tribunal will be instigated within days to ensure a speedy decision.

Justice Ellicot then adjourned the proceedings and it will be decided after the courts make a decision on the validity of the Tribunal when and if the work of the tribunal will proceed.