Labor law in Fiji regulates work, pay, leave, workplace safety and dismissal, including a national minimum wage of FJD 5.00 per hour from 1 April 2025. Immigration law deals with entry, visas, permits, residence, work, study, protection, permanent residence and citizenship; a visa is assessed before entry, while a permit authorizes a specified stay, activity or status, and immigration clearance still takes place on arrival. Criminal law defines offences and criminal responsibility and governs investigations, hearings and sanctions. Constitutional protections include legality, the presumption of innocence, a fair hearing within a reasonable time, legal representation, interpretation and protection against unlawful searches and compelled admissions. Criminal cases normally begin in the Magistrates Court, while serious indictable matters proceed to the High Court. Consumer protection covers unsuitable goods, misleading conduct, billing disputes, poor services and suspected scams. The Consumer Council of Fiji can provide advice, advocacy and mediation, while the Fiji Commerce and Consumer Commission investigates and enforces consumer and price rules; specialized complaints may go to bodies such as the Reserve Bank of Fiji, the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji or the Fiji Medicines Regulatory Authority. Civil law governs contracts, land, family matters, inheritance, liability and private court claims. Fiji has no single civil code, and the correct authority, court, documents and costs depend on the specific dispute. Land held under the iTaukei system follows distinct rules administered through the iTaukei Land Trust Board.
Law in Fiji
Law in Fiji covers employment, immigration, criminal offences, consumer dealings and private disputes. The applicable rules, authority and procedure depend on the subject, such as a work contract, visa, alleged offence, purchase or civil claim. Fiji law combines legislation with common law and equity, while iTaukei land follows a distinct legal regime.
Classify the problem before contacting an authority, because employment, immigration, criminal, consumer and civil matters follow different procedures. Keep the relevant contract, permit, receipt, correspondence or other evidence together and record what happened in date order. Use written communication where possible and obtain legal assistance when the matter involves a criminal allegation, immigration status, serious employment consequences or a complex private dispute.
Labor law
Fiji labor law sets minimum rules for work, pay, leave, safety and dismissal. The national minimum wage is FJD 5.00 per hour from 1 April 2025.
Immigration law
Fiji immigration law regulates entry, visas, residence permits, work and study, family residence, protection, permanent residence and citizenship. A visa is assessed before entry, while a permit authorizes a specified stay, activity or status; neither removes immigration clearance at arrival. The correct permission depends on the purpose, duration, personal status and supporting evidence.
Criminal law
Criminal law in Fiji defines offences, criminal responsibility, investigations, court proceedings and sanctions. The Constitution protects legality, the presumption of innocence, a fair hearing within a reasonable time, legal representation, interpretation and protection against unlawful searches and compelled admissions. Criminal cases normally begin in the Magistrates Court, while serious indictable matters proceed to the High Court.
Consumer protection
Consumer protection in Fiji gives private consumers ways to challenge unsuitable goods, misleading conduct, billing problems, poor services and suspected scams. The Consumer Council of Fiji (CCF) provides advice, advocacy and mediation, while the Fiji Commerce and Consumer Commission (FCCC) investigates and enforces consumer and price rules. Sector bodies handle specialized complaints, including the Reserve Bank of Fiji for supervised financial institutions, the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji for telecommunications, and the Fiji Medicines Regulatory Authority for medicines and devices. The usual first step is a written complaint to the provider with the contract, receipt, payment proof and other evidence; a refund or other remedy is not automatic.
Civil law
Civil law in Fiji governs legal relationships between private people and organisations, including contracts, land, family matters, inheritance, liability and civil court claims. Fiji has no single civil code: legislation operates alongside common law and equity, while iTaukei land follows a distinct regime administered through the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB). The correct authority, court, documents and costs depend on the legal issue.
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