from The Fiji Times
TWO judges from Malaysia were appointed to the Fiji Court of Appeal by the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, yesterday.
Interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Justices Dato Dr Cyrus Das, 58, and Dato Cecil Abraham, 61, had been appointed and more appointments would be made shortly.
The announcement follows the resignation of the six remaining expatriate judges from New Zealand and Australia.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said it was understood the Judicial Services Commission would make announcements in due course on the appointment of more highly qualified judges to the Court of Appeal and to the High Court.
He said Fiji was fortunate to have Justices Das and Abraham.
He said Justice Das was considered one of the finest advocates and lawyers on the Malaysian Bar.
“He has had a fine academic career, having secured a PhD in constitutional law,” he said.
Justice Das is the author of four legal books, one of which was cited by the Court of Appeal in the Chandrika Prasad case.
He said besides constitutional law, Justice Das’ expertise and interest extended to administration law, industrial relations, company law, insolvency, press freedom, negligence, commercial law, criminal law and judicial methods.
“He is a prolific contributor to legal journals around the world,” he said.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Justice Abraham graduated LL.B from Queen Mary College, London in 1968 and was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1969.
He said Justice Abraham headed a large and respected firm of advocates and solicitors in Malaysia.
“He himself is held in high regard as a trial advocate,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said. He said the help of the many jurisdictions such as Singapore and Malaysia needed to be acknowledged for their willingness to facilitate the services of high calibre judicial officers.
