I have not seen social media as a reference for a factual proposition - Gates

I have not seen social media as a reference for a factual proposition - Gates

Chief Justice Anthony Gates

So far I have not seen in an affidavit a citation to social media as a reference for a factual proposition but it appears to have reached the main stream media.

These were the words of Chief Justice Anthony Gates who was the guest speaker at the Sir Moti Tikaram Memorial Lecture at the University of Fiji in Suva last night.

Chief Justice Gates says resorting to social media is an undesirable short cut and a layer below that of hearsay evidence.

He says there had been false information on social media regarding an incident which involved him.

Speaking about Sir Moti Tikaram, the Chief Justice reminisced of a time they both worked together.

Chief Justice Gates says the right to equality and freedom from discrimination is one of the most significant protections under the constitution but in all jurisdictions it is not always well achieved in courts.

He says when anyone associated with power, fame or celebrity comes before the court, the courts have sometimes lost focus in the past.

He says today equality is held in a higher regard as the principle of the Constitution.