A fair recruitment system generates racial balance which would be a reflection of the true ethnic composition of Fiji!

Those were the words of the Chief Justice Anthony Gates while addressing participants at the Attorney General’s conference at the Warwick Fiji this morning as he revealed that a form is about to be implemented in the Judicial department which is designed to avoid undue preferential treatment.

While speaking on the International Code of conduct for public officials, Chief Justice Gates said fresh applications as well as all existing members of the department will have to reveal if they are related by blood or marriage to any member of the department.

Referring to travel sanction policies of Australia and New Zealand, Chief Justice Gates said however, they will not be required to reveal whether they have any relatives employed in the Australian Military.

He said a pilot project will commence for the recording of court proceedings next year and once this spreads, there will be much greater accountability brought to the conduct of hearings.

The Chief Justice also revealed that there will be a review of the Guideline Principles and Code of Conduct for Judges, Magistrates and Lawyers by the Judiciary next year and necessary changes will be made to hold people accountable and true to their oaths.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister for Justice Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, while closing the forum stressed to the lawyers, Judges and Magistrates that implementing codes of conduct and principles will not work until it is adhered to.