All Judges and Magistrates, whether born in Fiji or from overseas are to be commended for their bravery in taking on judicial office in Fiji.

These were the words of Chief Justice Anthony Gates as he opened the National Judicial Workshop at the Outrigger resort this morning.

Chief Justice Gates said for reasons for strategic policy, the judiciary has been attacked and attempts made to drag them into the events and aftermath of December 2006.

He reminded the Judges and Magistrates of the travel bans imposed on them by Australia and New Zealand in pursuance of this strategy.

Chief Justice Gates said he cannot say what our neighbours position is with regard to the Burmese, North Korean, Iranian or Zimbabwe judiciaries.

He also expressed gratitude to the Magistrates who have sat long hours to clear the backlog of cases and who are managing lists which were meant to be shared amongst the Magistracy of twice the present number.

The Chief Justice also highlighted that there was a time when Magistrates arrived in court at 9:30am or so, kept the public waiting, adjourned everything and then went off to an early lunch at 11:30am never to be seen again that day.

He said this is no longer the case and however hard and intense their job may be, it is important to try to perform well and the public knows that they are trying.

Chief Justice Gates said the public know that they are not superman and most will be content to know that the Judges and Magistrates are trying their best to deliver an efficient service to the public.
 
He said their stance must be sympathetic to all who seek justice in the courts, preferential towards none.

The workshop continues this afternoon.