The President of the Solomon Islands Bar Association (SIBA), Peter Teddy has condemned personal attacks on judges, warning that such criticism undermines judicial independence and threatens democratic governance.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Legal Year at the High Court last Friday, Teddy said the judiciary and the judicial system had faced criticism in the media over the past year.
“The Bar notes that last year the judiciary and the judicial system faced criticism in the media,” he said.
However, Teddy stressed that personal attacks on judges are “unacceptable and uncalled for.”
“Personal attacks on our judges are unacceptable and uncalled for because they undermine the independence of the judiciary, which is crucial to democratic government on which we all rely for our individual and collective freedoms.”
He said judges have a sworn duty to administer justice according to the law and must be allowed to perform that role without interference.
“Judges have a sworn duty to administer justice according to law and they should be allowed to perform that duty unhindered by personal attacks in the media and elsewhere.”
The SIBA president said maintaining respect for the independence of the judiciary was essential to protecting the rule of law and public confidence in the justice system.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
