Solomon Islands High Court Commisioner is leaving soon to West Africa

By Alfred Maesulia

An officer in the Solomon Islands legal service is due to leave the country for his next assignment in Sierra Leone in West Africa.

Mr. David Chetwynd first came to Solomon Islands in 1989 and was posted to Auki in the Malaita province as magistrate.

In Honiara he was chief magistrates and Registrar of High Courts until 2004.

Mr. Chetwynd held the post of Special Project Coordinator & Commissioner of the High Court of Solomon Islands up to the end of his contract this month.

Speaking during a farewell dinner today, the Registrar of High Court Mr. Nelson Laurere, said Mr. Chetwynd had done a lot for Solomon Islands. He said the Judiciary would miss his service.

Mr. Laurere spoke of Chetwynd as a committed person who was willing to step in to assist when he was called upon.

Mr. Chetwynd in his brief comment said that expatriates working in the Solomon Islands should not treat Solomon Islanders as Natives but that Solomon Islanders were in a country of long history.

“Don’t think that you are in a city of Sydney or Melbourne,” he said.

“Many Solomon Islanders are good and honest.”

Another Solomon Islander, John Muria, is currently serving in Sierra Leone in the Judiciary service.

Source: Government Communication Unit