William Calanchini

William Calanchini
Judge of the Supreme Court of Fiji
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 April 2023
President of the Court of Appeal of Fiji
In office
1 August 2013 – 31 December 2019

William Desmond Calanchini is an Australian jurist who served as President of the Court of Appeal of Fiji from 2013 to 2019. In 2023, he was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Fiji.

Calanchini was educated at the University of Melbourne, graduating with a bachelor of laws in 1972.[1] He was admitted to the bar of the Australian state of Victoria in 1974, and in Fiji in 1999.[1] He worked as deputy Solicitor General of Fiji from 1998 to 2002.[1] He then worked as a lawyer for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces,[2] and then as a permanent arbitrator.[3]

In June 2009, following the 2009 Fijian constitutional crisis and the dismissal of Fiji's entire judiciary, he was appointed to the High Court of Fiji as a puisne judge by the military regime.[4] While serving on the High Court he presided over contempt of court cases designed to stifle opposition to the military regime.[5][6][7]

From February 2012 to July 2013, he was acting President of the Court of Appeal of Fiji. From 1 August 2013 to 31 December 2019, he was its president.[8][9]

In April 2023, he was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Fiji.[8][10] In August 2023, he was appointed to the tribunal convened to investigate allegations of misbehavious against Chief Justice Kamal Kumar.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d "Swearing-in Ceremony Of Tribunal Members". Fiji Sun. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Fiji uses ex-pat lawyer for appeal on Tarakinikini ruling". RNZ. 18 October 2002. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Fiji public sector unions put strike action on hold". RNZ. 25 February 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Fiji judiciary bolstered with more appointments". RNZ. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Fiji Times guilty of contempt of court". RNZ. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Contempt of court case against Fiji Citizens Constitution Forum adjourned". RNZ. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  7. ^ Michael Cross (15 August 2013). "Fiji activist sentenced for Law Society Charity 'contempt'". Law Society Gazette. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Two new judges sworn in". Fiji Live. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Legal fraternity bid Justice Calanchini farewell". Fiji Times. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  10. ^ Fonua Talei (19 April 2023). "Qetaki Sworn In As Justice of Appeal". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 28 June 2024.