THE courts in the country have once again opened their doors to the public following a ceremonial event marking the start of the 2024 Legal Year at the High Court yesterday.
The event did not include the usual practice of the Chief Justice inspecting Guard of Honour mounted by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) outside of the High Court room one due to the downpour yesterday morning.
The program went straight to speech presentations inside the court room one by the Attorney General (AG), President of the Solomon Islands Bar Association (SIBA) and the Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer.
The courts had closed for the Christmas and New Year vacation just and resumed shortly before this official opening event was held.
The ceremony was attended by legal practitioners, Attorney General Chamber’s Representatives, the Police Commissioner, members of the diplomatic missions, constitutional office holders, magistrates, judges, permanent secretaries, other members of the legal fraternity and court officials.
Sir Albert’s address for this Legal Year as he himself stated was a little bit different from his addresses in past Legal year opening.
Since it is some 20 years or so since he took up the post of Chief Justice, Sir Albert took the opportunity to reflect on the National Judiciary’s achievements and highlighted the many good things that have been achieved before addressing other National Judiciary’s issues.
“The motion moved by the learned counsel, the Attorney General and supported by, the President of the Solomon Islands Bar Association is granted.
“Let justice through the doors of the Courts open to the public and the Wheels of justice to start rolling for this year,” Sir Albert declared when concluding his address.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
