Judiciary officials issue warnings on ethics and impartiality

In Fiji, Chief Registrar Tomasi Bainivalu and the Legal Practitioners Unit conducted a series of Ethics and Etiquette Workshops across the Western, Central, and Northern Divisions. The workshops, attended by 341 legal practitioners, focused on newly admitted lawyers and those with less than three years of experience. Key topics included professional conduct, courtroom attire, avoiding conflicts of interest, and compliance with the Legal Practitioners Act 2009 and the Trust Account Act 1996. Additionally, practitioners were advised to exercise caution when using artificial intelligence tools to ensure ethical responsibilities are met.

In Nigeria, Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has urged judges to guard against forum shopping and the concealment of related proceedings. Speaking at the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts in Abuja, she emphasized the need for judicial impartiality ahead of the 2027 general elections. Kekere-Ekun warned that judicial officers must resist political pressure and public sentiment, ensuring that the application of the Constitution and the Electoral Act remains the priority during politically sensitive disputes.