Alipate Qetaki Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Alipate Qetaki
Office:Judge of the Court of Appeal of Fiji
Term Start:19 April 2023
Order1:27th
Office1:Attorney-General of Fiji
Monarch1:Elizabeth II
Governor General1:Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
Term Start1:May 1987
Term End1:September 1987
Predecessor1:Jai Ram Reddy
Successor1:Sailosi Kepa
President2:Ratu Josefa Iloilo
Primeminister2:Laisenia Qarase
Term Start2:2000
Term End2:2001
Predecessor2:Anand Singh
Successor2:Qoriniasi Bale
Order3:6th
Office3:Chairman, Fiji Law Reform Commission
President3:Ratu Josefa Iloilo
Primeminister3:Laisenia Qarase
Frank Bainimarama
Term Start3:2003
Term End3:2008
Predecessor3:Vacant since 1999
Last held by R. Matabalavu
Alma Mater:University of Edinburgh
Profession:Judge

Alipate Qetaki is a Fijian jurist, civil servant, and former politician who currently serves as a judge of the Court of Appeal of Fiji. He previously served as Attorney General of Fiji in the government of Timoci Bavadra from May 1987 to September 1987,[1] and again as Attorney General and Minister for Justice in the interim Cabinet formed by Laisenia Qarase in the wake of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état.[2] He held office till an elected government took power in September 2001.

Qetaki was educated at Lelean Memorial and Queen Victoria Schools in Fiji and holds an LLM from the University of Edinburgh.

He served as executive chairman of both the Fiji Law Reform Commission (from 2003) and the Fiji Law Revision Commission.

In August 2008, Qetaki was appointed by the military regime of Frank Bainimarama to the post of General Manager of the Native Land Trust Board,[3] replacing Semi Tabakanalagi, who died in office.[4] He held this position till April 2015, when he was succeeded by Tevita Kuruvakadua.[5] He has also been a Director of Fiji Sugar Corporation since 26 November 2008.[6] From 2020 to 2023 he taught law at the University of Fiji.

In April 2023 he was appointed as a judge of the Court of Appeal of Fiji.[7] The appointment was opposed by the Fiji Law Society on the basis that he had previously been found guilty of professional misconduct as a lawyer and was thus ineligible to be appointed.[8] The question of Qetaki's eligibility for appointment was referred to the Supreme Court of Fiji in June 2024.[9] [10] On 28 June 2024 the Supreme Court ruled that he was eligible for appointment, as his misconduct had been minimal.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Native Lands Trust Board Fiji Islands . www.nltb.com.fj . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070216113637/http://www.nltb.com.fj/aboutus_departments.html . 2007-02-16.
  2. Web site: Munro Leys - No 3 Post Coup Decrees . 2011-04-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725075723/http://www.munroleyslaw.com/legalalerts/no3_postcoup.asp . 2011-07-25 .
  3. Web site: Vakasama. Soli. Qetaki at NLTB helm. Discuss Fiji Politics. 2 October 2008. 5 October 2015.
  4. Web site: ‘Humbling Experience’ . Fiji Sun . 30 September 2014 . 12 April 2023.
  5. Web site: Rainima. Tokasa. Kuruvakadua to replace Qetaki as new TLTB GM. FijiVillage.com. 5 October 2015.
  6. Web site: Alipate Qetaki. Company Overview of Fiji Sugar Corp Ltd. Bloomberg Business. 5 October 2015.
  7. Web site: Qetaki Sworn In As Justice of Appeal . Fiji Sun . Fonua Talei . 19 April 2023 . 28 June 2024.
  8. Web site: Another Breach!! . Fiji Sun . Wati Talebula . 25 October 2023 . 28 June 2024.
  9. Web site: Judge Justice and Acting DPP Appointments Under Fire . Fiji Sun . Beranadeta Nagatalevu . 20 June 2024 . 28 June 2024.
  10. Web site: ADPP Rabuku and Justice Qetaki are not eligible to be appointed – Cabinet lawyer/Fiji Law Society . Fiji Village . Rashika Kumar . 19 June 2024 . 28 June 2024.
  11. Web site: Justice Qetaki eligible to be Court of Appeal Judge, Rabuku ineligible to be DPP - Supreme Court . Fiji Village . 28 June 2024 . 28 June 2024.