Ceremonial sitting

Late Justice Lenalia spent 41 years serving in the judiciary, making him the longest serving member of the judiciary.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia said 18 of those years was as a magistrate and 19 as a judge.

The late judge also served in Vanuatu as a magistrate and at one point, as the acting Chief Justice of Vanuatu in August of 1995. This was while he was still a magistrate.

Sir Salamo described the late judge as a very humble man whose professionalism reflected in his judgements.

These judges were sworn into office last year.

They are Justice William Neil, Justice Robert Lee Lindsay, Justice Terrence Harold Foulds, Justice Jeffery Leonard Shepherd and female judge Leka Nama Nablu.

Justice William Neil was not present today as he was on medical leave.

A Supreme Court Ceremonial sitting is held every year and these judges were not officially welcomed last year due to the sitting that was held in honour of the late Justice Catherine Anne Davani.