Four new resident magistrates were sworn in at the State House in Suva today by President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
The newly-appointed magistrates – Jioji Momo Boseiwaqa, Semi Babitu, Safaira Takali Ratu and Vinti Vibhashna Prasad – took their oath in the presence of Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga and senior members of the judiciary.
Mr Boseiwaqa holds a Masters of Law (LLM) from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, a Bachelor of Law (LLB) and Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PDLP) from the University of the South Pacific.
He was admitted to the bar in 1998 as a Barrister and Solicitor for the High Court of Fiji, and was also the Principal Legal Officer for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
Mr Babitu obtained his Bachelors of Law degree in 2010 and Professional Diploma in Legal Practice the same year.
Since his admission to the Bar, Mr Babitu has been employed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as a temporary legal officer, and was appointed Principal Legal Officer in 2014.
Ms Ratu was admitted to practise as a Barrister and Solicitor to the High Court of Fiji on August 5, 2011.
From 2017 to date, Ms Ratu has been the Principal Legal Officer, Appeals Unit Suva with the Legal Aid Commission.
She primarily carries out litigation at the Fiji Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Fiji.
She attained her Bachelors of Law (LLB) at the USP in 2011.
Ms Prasad holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) (2006-2010) from the USP as well, and she is the Senior Legal Officer at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a position she held from October 17, 2017, to date.
