Court Systems

Fiji operates a four-level court system. The High Court of Fiji is Fiji’s court of originating jurisdiction, with a right of appeal available to the Court of Appeal and a further right of appeal available, with special leave, to the Supreme Court. Less serious criminal matters, and certain civil matters involving monetary amounts of up to F$15,000, are within the jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court.

The court system is based upon the English common law system and is adversarial.

The court system is supplemented by a number of specialist courts and tribunals. These include:

• the Court of Review and VAT Tribunal, which are first-level forums for adjudication of disputes on income and Value Added Tax,
• the Arbitration Tribunal, established under the Trade Disputes Act, for resolution of industrial disputes,
• the Sugar Industry Tribunal regulates Fiji's pivotal sugar industry,
• the Agricultural Tribunals regulate certain tenant rights relating to agricultural holdings,
• the Small Claims Tribunal deals with civil disputes of less than F$2,000 in value.