Anjala Wati
Anjala Wati | |
|---|---|
| Justice of the Supreme Court of Fiji | |
| Assumed office 19 August 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Education | University of the South Pacific |
Anjala Wati is a Fijian lawyer and judge. She became the first woman appointed as a justice of the Supreme Court of Fiji in 2016, having previously served as a judge of the High Court of Fiji.
Career
Wati earned a law degree from the University of the South Pacific and was admitted to the bar in 1999.[1] She practised law in Labasa and taught at the Pacific Training Centre in New Zealand for one year.[1] She later served as a court clerk in the Family Division of the High Court of Fiji before being appointed a judge in the Family Division for Suva, Nausori and Nasinu. In 2009, she was appointed a puisne judge.[1]
In 2009, Wati was granted a visa to travel to New Zealand with her son, who required urgent eye surgery.[2] The initial refusal of the visa was reportedly believed to be linked to her judicial position, leading to a diplomatic dispute between Fiji and New Zealand.[2] The visa was later granted on humanitarian grounds to allow her son to receive medical treatment.[2]
On 19 August 2016, Wati was sworn in as the first female justice of the Supreme Court of Fiji by Fijian president Jioji Konrote.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Judge Anjala Wati sworn in to Fiji Supreme Court". New Zealand Law Society. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Fiji judge allowed visa for child's medical treatment". Radio New Zealand. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2026.