Judges and Magistrates in Fiji courts have been reminded to maintain empathetic towards people appearing in court.

However, Chief Justice, Anthony Gates says magistrates must give sentences with dignity towards the seriousness of the case.

“When you are sentencing people who have done some horrible things, very horrible things, mean things, that person has to receive the correct and severe punishment for what they have done.”

Justice Gates says Judges must always retain interest in all cases.

“It’s very important to maintain the respect towards the system. It’s not just that people come in, next. It’s not just a number. You couldn’t care less. You don’t look up. We have to maintain that interest in people’s cases. They are human being and of course we do our best to counsel everybody’s problems.”

Justice Gates says in the past, judges would never show care towards an individual’s case.

However, he adds this has changed as judges and magistrates try to provide answers for people that have queries.

The Chief Justice says there needs to be more training conducted to maintain patience and empathy within hearings.