Mr. Pravesh Sharma graduated with a Law Degree from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. He is admitted to both the High Court of New Zealand and the High Court of Fiji. He has worked in private practice in Fiji; initially with Munro Leys and then later with R. Patel Lawyers. He has also practised as a Corporate Solicitor and as a Prosecutor in Wellington, New Zealand.
Since May 2015, Mr. Sharma has been running his own Firm, Victoria Chambers in Suva, Fiji. His main areas of practice are Criminal and Family Law Litigation. Mr. Sharma has special interest in Criminal Appeals.
In September 2018, Mr. Sharma was appointed a Commissioner with the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission; and in March 2019, Mr. Sharma was appointed Proceedings Commissioner.
In February 2022, Mr. Sharma was appointed Chairperson of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission.
In July 2022, Mr. Sharma was appointed a Member of the Fiji Dental Professional Conduct Committee.
Mr. Akbar began his career in 1995 as a Barrister and Solicitor in Nadi, Fiji where he worked as a lawyer in various areas of the law, including Criminal law, Commercial law, Family law, Civil law and Personal Injuries law. He appeared at all levels in Fiji’s courts and is admitted to the High Courts of New Zealand, Australia and Fiji and holds a practising certificate in Fiji.
He initially worked for a firm in Nadi and later established his own law firm. He served as a Councillor with Nadi Town Council during his tenure in Nadi.
From 2002, he worked in New Zealand, specializing in Accident Compensation, Employment Law, Health & Safety Law, Privacy Law and Human Rights Law. He has successfully provided legal advice and representation at various levels in his specialist areas, including Mediation, Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and as Counsel in the Court of Appeal in New Zealand.
Mr. Akbar held the position of Senior Solicitor in the Employers & Manufacturers’ Association Legal team in Auckland, New Zealand until 2011. In this role he provided legal support to a diverse group of businesses, ranging from small to medium enterprises to larger national, Trans-Tasman and global organisations. This role also included making submissions to the New Zealand government in respect of law reform on behalf of employers.
He then took up the opportunity to join Westpac New Zealand as Head of Employment Law, and Health, Safety & Wellbeing, and was later appointed Head of Employment Relations, and Safety & Wellbeing at NZ Post Group. In these roles he provided legal and strategic advice, and legal representation on Accident Compensation, Employment Law, and Health and Safety Law.
In these organisations Mr. Akbar was successful in establishing a stable and progressive industrial relations environment and contributed towards the considerable improvement in safety performance and culture.
Having successfully undertaken external and in house roles, Mr. Akbar established his own practice, where he provided legal advice, legal representation, coaching and training in his specialist areas of expertise.
In January 2018 Mr. Akbar commenced his role as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Compensation Commission, Fiji. He is the current Board Chair of Air Terminal Services (Fiji) Pte Ltd, Board Director of the Land Transport Authority of Fiji and Board member of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service.
He has recently also been appointed Commissioner of the Human Rights and Anti- Discrimination Commission.
The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination (‘Commission’) is established pursuant to section 45 of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji (Promulgation) Act 2013, as well as the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Act 2009. The Commission is mandated to ensure the human rights of all persons in Fiji are protected and promoted, and the public is educated about the nature and content of human rights.
The Commission seeks to employ the services of a suitably qualified and experienced individual for the position of DIRECTOR.
The Director is responsible for providing strategic guidance and leadership to ensure the effective delivery of the Commission’s strategic plan in line with constitutional and statutory obligations. The Director will build, maintain and enhance partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, both locally and internationally and secure compliance with the Paris Principles.
Key ResponsibilitiesSalary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a three (3) year contractual position which may be renewed at the Commission’s discretion.
The Human Rights and Anti-Discriminations Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all eligible and qualified persons.
All applications are to include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, certificates, academic transcripts and 3 references, and addressed as follows:
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