Raijeli Lebaivalu Vasakula Tuivaga
Director
Ms. Tuivaga is currently the Director of the Fiji Law Reform Commission. She was appointed to this position in July 2023.
Prior to her appointment, Ms Tuivaga ran her own Legal Consultancy for 10 years. During this time, she engaged as a Consultant for several Projects with the UN Women and also Asia Foundation, the most recent being part of a three (3) member project team to Asia Foundation – Legal Frameworks –Counter Trafficking in Persons in Fiji, Tonga and Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) – Pacific RISE-CTIP Analysis on Legal Frameworks in 2023.
In her career path, Ms. Tuivaga has served in several roles Law Consultant/Legal Practitioner, a Mediator (Accredited – Fiji Mediation Centre), and a Former Assistant Part Time Law Lecturer at Fiji National University, Department of Law, Nasinu Campus, Suva where she lectured and tutored LLB students in Constitutional Law, Administrative Law & Drafting.
Ms. Tuivaga is not a stranger to the Fiji Law Reform Commission as she started as a Legal Officer and progressed to Acting Principal Legal Officer. She then moved to the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, where she was the Development Advisor with the Social Sector then took on the role of Advisor Political with the Political/Trade Info. Commission Section until 2011. She joined the Fiji Constitution Commission in 2012 [the Ghai Commission] where she was responsible for all the 7120 submissions received by the Fijian public. Following that she spent a year with the Citizens Constitutional Forum where she worked on the EU funded project, by Conciliation Resources: Promoting Constitutional Engagement in Fiji until she became the Principal of her own Legal Consultancy in 2014, which later became known as Raijeli Vasakula Legal Consultancy in 2022.
Ms Tuivaga has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from James Cook University of North Queensland and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australia National University, as a recipient of the Australian Equity and Merit Scholarship Scheme [EMSS], and is a Accredited Mediator with the Fiji Mediation Centre.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws, University of the South Pacific, 2014
Professional Diploma in Legal Practice, University of the South Pacific, 2015
Biography:
Prior to joining the Commission, Leighton was at the Australian High Commission. Before that, he was employed as a Commercial Solicitor in Howards Lawyers in 2020, an Assistant Corporate Lawyer at Pacific Island Forum Secretariat in 2017 and a Junior Solicitor at Lateef & Lateef Lawyers in 2016.
His experience will bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to our team.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws, University of the South Pacific, 2017
Professional Diploma in Legal Practice, University of the South Pacific, 2018
Biography:
Prior to joining the Commission, Leah worked for the Legal Aid Commission where she was involved with Criminal and Family matters. Prior to that, she had interned at Vanuatu National Provident Fund and Siwatibau & Sloan Lawyers.
Currently, she serves as a Legal Officer at the Fiji Law Reform Commission, applying her expertise to drive positive change in the legal system.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws, University of the South Pacific, 2022
Professional Diploma in Legal Practice, University of the South Pacific, 2023
Biography:
Joyce currently serves as a Legal Officer at the Fiji Law Reform Commission since April 2024, where she utilizes her skills and expertise to contribute to the Commission's mission.
Prior to her current role, Joyce gained valuable experience as a Legal Officer at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and as a Litigation Officer and Acting Board Secretary at the Public Rental Board. Her impressive resume also includes an internship program with Munro Leys and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws, University of the South Pacific, 2020
Professional Diploma in Legal Practice, University of the South Pacific, 2020
Biography:
Magdalena joined the Commission as a Legal Officer in April 2024, prior to her appointment, she served as a prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Magdalena holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the South Pacific and a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice, which she completed in 2020.
During her academic tenure, she interned at Amrit Chand Lawyers and volunteered at the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the legal profession. Her dedication to her craft is evident in her commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.