Senior Judicial Officer Justice Davendra Pathik said the appointment of Chief Justice Anthony Gates is a significant occasion and it was well merited and deserving.

While speaking at a function attended by other members of the bench, Justice Pathik said no one should ever have cause to question the strength, integrity and independence of our judiciary since the appointment is under the constitution.

Justice Pathik said the excellent manner in which the judiciary including the magistracy has functioned in the very trying times the country has gone through and is going through, speaks volumes of Chief Justice Gates leadership.

He said Justice Gates has succeeded greatly in bringing about collegiality among the judges.

Justice Pathik said in his 36 years of continuously serving in the judiciary, he had seen the country go through thick and thin as well as some very difficult times ever since the first coup in 1987.

But according to him the judiciary has held its head high and remained untainted.

Justice Pathik also assured Chief Justice Gates of the full support of the bench in the performance of his duty.