The University of the South Pacific has appointed Mr Sharvada Nand Sharma as the Director of Professional Legal Training Programme with the School of Law and Social Sciences (SOLASS). This position became vacant with the untimely passing away of Mr Nainendra Nand who was Fiji’s former Solicitor-General.
The PDLP Programme is a six-month intensive compulsory practical training course for all law gradates before being admitted to practice as lawyers. The PDLP programme is accredited through the Fiji Board of Legal Education, which operates under the Legal Practitioners Act of Fiji.
Mr Sharma brings with him extensive experience as a legal practitioner having spent over 24 years with the Attorney-General’s Chambers in Suva, Fiji where he has held esteemed legal positions. Mr Sharma has served as Fiji’s Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary for Justice and Civil Aviation since 2014 until 2021.
He holds a Masters of Law (LLM) from the University of London in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) with Honours from the University of Waikato in New Zealand.
Mr Sharma has been duly admitted as a Legal Practitioner in New Zealand and in Fiji and has also served on numerous statutory entities including the Central Liquor Board, Air Transport Licensing Board, Hotels Licensing Board and as the Chair of the Legal Aid Commission and the Board of Legal Education.
As Director, Mr Sharma will have the overall responsibility for all PLT courses offered at USP.
The University welcomes Mr Sharma on his appointment as Director Professional Legal Training Programmes.