Former President of the Fiji Law Society, Devanesh Sharma has clearly stated to the Australian media that the judges in the Fijian courts have always had the right to overturn the opinion of the assessors in any trial.
Sharma said there in nothing unusual when High Court Judge, Justice Paul Madigan overturned the opinion of the three assessors in former Land Force Commander, Pita Driti’s trial.
This has been the system since the court system was introduced in Fiji.
Devanesh Sharma told Pacific Beat the Fijian judiciary is working well and is fair.
Sharma said he has even been a defence lawyer when the assessors’ opinion has been overturned.
He said the system is fair under the law.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
