Chief Justice, Sir Albert Palmer CBE, has announced the appointment of the new Chief Magistrate of Solomon Islands, Leonard Maina, from Temotu Province.

Mr. Maina has been the principle Magistrate for the Western District Magistrate Court, a position he held since 1993.

Mr. Maina is also the Chairman of the SIG/PNG Provincial border Committee dealing with agreements concerning the administration of special areas (border) between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Also at the high court was the appointment of Emma Garo as a principle Magistrate. Ms. Garo is one of the first qualified female lawyers of the country.

Speaking with the Solomon Times, Ms. Garo said that it will be a huge responsibility for her.

"It is a whole new field for me because I only worked as a senior defense legal officer for Public Solicitors Office lawyer for the past years so it is a whole new world for me and I hope to learn more from my colleagues and perform my duties," says Ms. Garo.

"I did not expect that I would get the role as principle magistrates I just applied and just left it to the courts commission, so it is unexpected really."

The Chief Justice acknowledged Ms Garo, stating that she "had shown a high standard of competency in her legal career, she was selecteted based on merit and her experience."