Two new magistrates have joined the magistracy after being sworn in on Thursday at the Honiara Magistrates’ Court.
Leonard Chite from is now a Principal Magistrate and Luke Maka Sandy a First Class Magistrate after they were sworn in before Chief Justice Sir Albert in a ceremonial event at the High Court conference room.
Also taking his oath as the new Deputy Chief Magistrate was Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer in when welcoming the two new magistrates and the new deputy chief magistrate said he is confident they are well able and capable of fulfilling their duties and roles as a magistrate and a leader well.
“One of your core duties, if not the major duty placed on you by the office is that of decision making whether small or big,” Sir Albert said.
Sir Albert said they will soon realise that it is important to take time to familiarise themselves with the law that applies to the matters before them as well as the facts before making a decision that is appropriate and applicable to the case before them.
“You will realise that you will be dealing with a lot of cases on a daily basis.
“Do not be afraid to make decisions, do the best according to your knowledge and ability and move on.
“You will soon realise if not already have that there are judicial officers around you who are always willing to assist and offer advise if sought,” Mr Albert told the two new magistrates and the new Deputy Chief Magistrate.
Sir Albert continued, “your work will not be easy at times and will entail a lot of sacrifices on your part, but do not allow external pressures around you to affect your impartiality, objectivity and integrity in decision making, be strong and fearless.”
He reminded them that their oaths set them apart as an officer of the Court, a servant of the Crown to deliver justice that is fair, just and honest and according to law at all times, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
“The nation relies on you to discharge due justice that is much needed timely and appropriately.
“Be punctual at work, courteous at all times on the Bench but also courageous in decision making.
“Know that you have been entrusted with heavy responsibilities in protecting and maintaining the independence, reputation and integrity of the Magistrates’ Court in the country and how you conduct yourself and carry out your duties in court and outside of court.”
Mr Chite from Marovo, Western Province and Kwara’ae in Malaita Province have studied law at the Emalus Campus in Vanuatu in 2012 to 2015.
He then went on to do his Professional Diploma in Legal Practice (PDLP) Program in Fiji in 2016 before joining the Public Solicitor’s Office in the later part of 2016.
Whilst in the Public Solicitor’s Office, Mr Chite has been dealing with the criminal, civil and family cases.
He applied for the magistracy job in late 2017 and was finally sworn in yesterday.
Mr Sandy who is part Santa Ana, Makira/Ulawa Province and Kwara’ae in Malaita Province had previously worked with the Police Prosecutions Service (PPS) within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) before joining the magistracy.
He joined the RSIPF in 1996 and after shifting around in various departments within the force he was shifted to the Police Prosecutions in 2003 and remained until 2011.
In 2011, he was shifted to the Police Academy as a trainer conducting in service training and conducting trainings with the police recruits.
It was while he was there that Mr Sandy said he was awarded a scholarship in 2013 to study law at the Emalus Campus, Vanuatu.
After completing four years at Emalus Campus, he did his Professional Diploma in Legal Practice (PDLP) Program in Honiara.
He was among other students who were have undergone first classes for the Professional Diploma in Legal Practice (PDLP) Program in Honiara in 2017.
Mr Sandy then went back to the Police Academy continuing with the in service training and dealing with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) detective qualifying courses where he was a also a qualified detective trainer.
He continued to help with the police recruits in their legal subjects until last year.
Early this year, Mr Sandy received a promotion to become a Principal Police Prosecutor and therefore had to return to the Police Prosecutions office where he remains until his appointment to join the magistracy came through last month.