HON. JUSTICE MR USAIA RATUVILI
Chairperson
Electoral Commission
Justice Ratuvili is a distinguished member of the Fijian judiciary with over 25 years of experience in legal practice, human rights, and judicial leadership.
He completed his early education at Queen Victoria School and Dudley High School, before obtaining a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of the South Pacific in 1997, followed by the Professional Diploma in Legal Practice (PDLP) in 1998. In 2006, he attained a Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights from the University of Hong Kong, further enhancing his expertise in constitutional and public law.
Justice Ratuvili commenced his legal career as an Associate Solicitor at Fa & Co Ltd from 1999 to 2001. He then joined the Fiji Human Rights Commission, serving as Senior Legal Officer and later Principal Legal Officer between 2001 and 2007. In 2008, he contributed to the Australia–Fiji Community Justice Program, working on justice sector capacity-building initiatives.
In 2009, he served as a Principal Legal Officer in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions before being appointed to the Magistracy later that year. He presided at the Ba Magistrate’s Court from 2009 to 2011, also sitting in the Lautoka Magistrate’s Court and the Western Division Liquor Tribunal.
In 2011, Justice Ratuvili was appointed Chief Magistrate, a role he held with distinction for a decade until 2021. He subsequently served as Acting Master and later confirmed Master of the High Court from 2022 to February 2023. His judicial advancement continued with his appointment as Acting Puisne Judge in March 2023, followed by confirmation as a Puisne Judge of the High Court on 27 March 2024, a role he continues to hold.
On 25 January 2025, Justice Ratuvili was appointed Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Fiji for a three-year term. He brings to the Commission a wealth of judicial experience and a deep commitment to the rule of law, good governance, and the integrity of Fiji’s democratic processes
