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Adoption in Fiji

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The Plural Practice of Adoption in Pacific Island States

Part of the book series: The World of Small States ((WSS,volume 5))

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Abstract

There are three types of adoption recognised and practised in Fiji, namely, inter-family adoption, adoption through residential homes, and intercountry adoption. Fiji does not recognise customary adoption. Adoption cases are heard in the family division of the Magistrates’ Courts and the High Court. The Constitution provides that the best interests of a child are the primary consideration in every matter concerning a child. The law on adoption is currently under review. The Adoption Bill domesticates The Hague Convention and provides for local and intercountry adoption of children and access to information regarding adoption.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Fiji Bureau of Statistics (5 January 2018b), p. 1.

  2. 2.

    Fiji Bureau of Statistics (2018a), ‘2007 Population Census’.

  3. 3.

    Fiji Bureau of Statistics (2018a), ‘Demographic Indicators from Previous Population Censuses.’

  4. 4.

    Fiji Bureau of Statistics (5 January 2018b), p. 1.

  5. 5.

    Ibid., p. 1.

  6. 6.

    Ibid, p. 2.

  7. 7.

    Ibid., p. 6.

  8. 8.

    Save the Children (2014).

  9. 9.

    Fiji Ministry of Health (2015), p. 17.

  10. 10.

    UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Consideration of reports submitted by States Parties under article 44 of the Convention, Second to fourth periodic reports of States Parties due in 2010: Fiji, UN Doc CRC/C/FJI/2-4 (17 September 2013).

  11. 11.

    Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation (2018).

  12. 12.

    Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation (2018).

  13. 13.

    Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation (2018).

  14. 14.

    Budget Estimates 2016–2017. Government of Fiji.

  15. 15.

    Migration Review Tribunal, ‘MRT Research Response FJI34895’ (Research Response No FJI34895, Migration Review Tribunal Australia, 21 May 2009).

  16. 16.

    Save the Children (2005).

  17. 17.

    Adoption of Infants Act Cap 58 (1945) (‘Adoption of Infants Act’).

  18. 18.

    Per Fatiaki J in N, in re (an infant) [1994] 40 FLR 35. The Judge expressed concerns over the absence of any specific legislation in the area of guardianship which represents a serious lacuna.

  19. 19.

    The Act came into force in 1st November 2005. The Family Law Act 2003 governs family matters.

  20. 20.

    Adoption of Infants Act, s 8.

  21. 21.

    Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, A/RES/54/263 (25 May 2000); Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, A/RES/54/263 (25 May 2000). Fiji signed both protocols on 16 September 2005.

  22. 22.

    In face of its political instability when there was no Constitution in place, the relevant Decrees provided that all international treaties and conventions continued to apply. Article 173(1) of the 2013 Constitution provided that all written laws in force immediately before the date of commencement of this Constitution shall continue in force as if they had been made under or pursuant to the Constitution. All three Constitutions of Fiji had similar provisions.

  23. 23.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Waqavonovono Mag, 18 December 2006).

  24. 24.

    Secretariat of the Pacific Community (2008) Pacific Human Rights Law Digest Volume 2: Rhea v Caine. http://www.paclii.org/other/PHRLD/pacific-human-rights-law-digest-2.html#RHEA_v_CAINE. Accessed 13 Apr 2018.

  25. 25.

    (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Phillips J, 7 March 2008) available via www.paclii.org at [2008] FJHC 283.

  26. 26.

    [1952] 1 Ch 16.

  27. 27.

    In the heading of the adoption application (the application), Mr. and Mrs. Marshall described themselves as, ‘both of 11 Lakeview Drive, Parafield Gardens SA 5107, Australia currently residing at 57 Sandalwood Street, Drasa, Vitogo, Lautoka, Mechanic and Domestic duties respectively.’ The particulars of their address in the body of the application was ‘11 Lakeview Drive, Parafield Gardens SA 5107, Australia.’ The application also stated that when the application was made they were residing at 57 Sandalwood Street, Drasa, Vitogo.

  28. 28.

    (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Phillips J, 7 March 2008) available via www.paclii.org at [2008] FJHC 283.

  29. 29.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Mosese V W Naivalu, 14 December 2012) available via www.paclii.org at [2012] FJMC 354.

  30. 30.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Sumudu Premachandra, 2 February 2012) available via www.paclii.org at [2012] FJMC 8.

  31. 31.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Neil Rupasinghe, 27 November 2014) available via www.paclii.org at [2014] FJMC 176.

  32. 32.

    (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Phillips J, 19 February 2008) available via www.paclii.org at [2008] FJHC 279.

  33. 33.

    Cava v Sovasova (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Phillips J, 19 February 2008) available via www.paclii.org at [2008] FJHC 279.

  34. 34.

    Ibid., [2].

  35. 35.

    Revised Edition of the Laws (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016, s 2.

  36. 36.

    Adoption of Infants Act, s 7(3)(a).

  37. 37.

    Ibid., s 6(1)(a).

  38. 38.

    Ibid., s 6(1)(b).

  39. 39.

    Ibid., s 6(3).

  40. 40.

    It is only in 2012 that the Fijian Government introduced recognition of de facto relationship and recognition of property rights and spousal maintenance when relationships cease: Family Law (Amendment) Decree 2012, s 2.

  41. 41.

    Adoption of Infants Act, s 6(2).

  42. 42.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Neil Rupasinghe, 27 November 2014) available via www.paclii.org at [2014] FJMC 176.

  43. 43.

    (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Byrne J, 24 November 1997) available via www.paclii.org at [1997] FJHC 182.

  44. 44.

    (1952) 1 Ch 16.

  45. 45.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Waqavonovono Mag, 18 December 2006).

  46. 46.

    (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Byrne J, 24 November 1997) available via www.paclii.org at [1997] FJHC 182.

  47. 47.

    (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Phillips J, 7 March 2008) available via www.paclii.org at [2008] FJHC 283.

  48. 48.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Neil Rupasinghe, 27 November 2014) available via www.paclii.org at [2014] FJMC 176.

  49. 49.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Sumudu Premachandra, 2 February 2012) available via www.paclii.org at [2012] FJMC 8.

  50. 50.

    Francis v Shalendra (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Sumudu Premachandra, 2 February 2012) available via www.paclii.org at [2012] FJMC 8.

  51. 51.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Sumudu Premachandra, 1 March 2012) available via www.paclii.org at [2012] FJMC 34.

  52. 52.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Sumudu Premachandra, 14 March 2013) available via www.paclii.org at [2013] FJMC 121.

  53. 53.

    (Unreported, Magistrates’ Court, Fiji, Mr. Mosese V W Naivalu, 14 December 2012) available via www.paclii.org at [2012] FJMC 354.

  54. 54.

    Nos 65 and 66 of 2011 (9 November 2011).

  55. 55.

    Adoption of Infants Act, s 7(1)(a)-(c).

  56. 56.

    (Unreported, Court of Appeal, Fiji, Kermode, Tikaram and Fatiaki JJ, 6 November 1990) available via www.paclii.org at [1990] FJCA 14.

  57. 57.

    (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Phillips J, 21 February 2008) available via www.paclii.org at [2008] FJHC 280.

  58. 58.

    Adoption of Infants Act, ss 11, 12.

  59. 59.

    (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Jitoko J, 6 September 2005) available via www.paclii.org at [2005] FJHC 510.

  60. 60.

    (Unreported, High Court, Fiji, Scutt J, 4 February 2008).

  61. 61.

    Department of Social Welfare, Standard Operating Procedures (Government of Fiji) (internal document).

  62. 62.

    Ibid.

  63. 63.

    Ibid.

  64. 64.

    Ibid.

  65. 65.

    Ibid.

  66. 66.

    Ibid.

  67. 67.

    Ibid.

  68. 68.

    Ibid.

  69. 69.

    Ibid.

  70. 70.

    Adoption Bill 2016, s 38.

  71. 71.

    Family Law (Amendment) Decree 2012, s 2.

  72. 72.

    Adoption Bill 2016, s 20.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Law, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

    Anuleshni N. Neelta

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  1. Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Jennifer Corrin

  2. Northumbria Law School, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Sue Farran

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Neelta, A.N. (2019). Adoption in Fiji. In: Corrin, J., Farran, S. (eds) The Plural Practice of Adoption in Pacific Island States. The World of Small States, vol 5. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95077-8_2

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