For Principal Magistrate Ben Alasia, the journey to the Bench was neither direct nor easy.
It was shaped by self-doubt, persistence and a growing desire to serve his community through the law.
Hailed from Dala South Village in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province, Mr Alasia began his education at St. John Dala South Primary School in 1991.
His early years involved several transitions, including a move to Honiara where he repeated Grade Six at Ilia Primary School.
He later attended Honiara High School, completing Form Five in 2002.
After failing his Form Six examinations, he experienced a period of uncertainty.
“I failed the Form 6 exams.
“In 2003 I was unemployed and was staying with my dad in Honiara,” he recalled.
But what could have been a setback became a turning point.
In 2004, his uncle enrolled him in the Preliminary Arts Programme at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Solomon Islands Campus.
“I did the Preliminary and the Foundation Arts programme at the University of the South Pacific, Solomon Islands Campus in the second semester of 2004 to the second semester of 2008.”
He completed his Foundation studies before being awarded a Solomon Islands Government scholarship in 2009 to pursue a combined Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law (BA/LLB).
He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at USP’s Laucala Campus in Fiji and later transferred to Emalus Campus in Vanuatu to complete his law degree, graduating in December 2013.
He subsequently undertook a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice before returning home in 2014 to begin his legal career.
Interestingly, law was not always his ambition.
“At the outset, I never thought of studying law to take for a professional career. I lack self-esteem and doubt my abilities to pursue a legal professional career,” Mr Alasia said.
His interest in law developed gradually through exposure to fellow students.
“I was undeniably fascinated by their talks and discussions about their assignments, the law, and legal issues in general,” he said.
He soon realised that a law degree offered opportunities beyond courtroom advocacy and aligned with his personal values.
“I was enthusiastic about advocating for things like human rights, social justice and equality, and advocating for people that seek justice for their legal problems.”
On 21 July 2014, Mr Alasia joined the Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) as a Senior Legal Officer. Over the next eleven years, he built experience in criminal, civil and family litigation, eventually rising to Principal Legal Officer.
Reflecting on that period, he described the PSO as formative to his professional growth.
“The Public Solicitors Office is the best office for beginners who are interested in court work as litigants,” he said, noting the mentorship and continuing legal education provided to young lawyers.
In June 2025, when magistrates’ vacancies were advertised, he decided to take the next step in his career.
“I worked as a barrister and solicitor in the Public Solicitors Office for over eleven years.
Now I think it is time for a new challenging role to sit on the Bench,” he said.
“This is a career progression to serve the community and the country as a whole.”
As a magistrate, he is guided by a strong sense of duty and impartiality.
“My goal is to uphold the law, impartial and deliver decisions base on reason and law,” he said.
“To sit on the Bench is a position of greater responsibility, trust, authority and respect.
This means upholding justice for all people who come before the court.”
Beyond his own journey, Mr Alasia is passionate about encouraging young people to pursue legal studies.
He acknowledges that law is demanding but rewarding, and that the skills gained extend beyond the courtroom.
“To the students and others who have the ambition and aspire to undertake law studies, go for it,” he urged.
He said law is a challenging but rewarding profession that develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
He said beyond the courtroom, a law degree opens doors to diverse career opportunities.
He also reminds scholarship recipients of the responsibility that comes with opportunity.
“Your scholarship is a privilege and not a right. Make better use of your studies.”
“Many Solomon Islanders do not have that opportunity. Make your family and country proud of your achievement.”
Sharing the story of a close friend who took 14 years to complete a law degree due to financial hardship and repeated scholarship rejections, he emphasised the importance of perseverance.
“My friend’s story is about sacrifice, determination and perseverance to achieve your dreams. Sometimes it takes pain and hardship to reach your goals,” he said.
His message to aspiring students is simple but firm:
“Remember that every dream has a price so do not quit now.”
By Assumpta Buchanan
Solomon Star, Honiara
