Fiji is meant to take the main role when it comes to advancing justice and also legal cooperation throughout the Commonwealth during this year, and as a result, Fiji is also preparing to host the 2026 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM), which will commence from the 9th of February to the 12th at Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort in Nadi. Being one of the most important legal gatherings on the Commonwealth calendar, it will altogether bring around 150 delegates, which will include justice members, attorneys general, and also solicitors general from all of the 56 member regions.
The meeting’s theme, “Anchoring Justice in a Changing Tide: Strengthening the Rule of Law for a Resilient Future,” reflects growing global concerns about weakening legal protections and their impact on ordinary people. Commonwealth Secretary‑General Hon. Shirley Botchwey has highlighted that the rule of law underpins peace, stability, and development and that it must be defended with meaningful action rather than just rhetoric.
“Where the rule of law is weakened or unevenly applied,” Botchwey said, “the impact is felt most sharply by ordinary people.” She added that the meeting in Fiji offers an opportunity for ministers to collaborate on ensuring legal systems are inclusive, equitable, and capable of protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the face of challenges such as climate change and digital transformation.
Host nation Fiji will chair the meeting under the leadership of Hon. Seroma Turaga, Fiji’s Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney‑General. Turaga has highlighted the importance of approaching the rule of law in ways that respond to both traditional challenges and emerging issues, including regional cooperation and the impacts of climate change on legal systems.
The CLMM agenda will focus on more practical and also logical measures to advance the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth. Discussions are expected to focus on improving access to justice, strengthening legal institutions, protecting fundamental rights, and making sure that legal systems work very effectively for all citizens, from supporting democratic participation to safeguarding economic opportunity and even environmental protection.
Alongside the main ministerial sessions, the meeting will also host five side events that collect important voices for justice reform, including youth leaders, people with personal experience of the justice system, and disability rights advocates. These events aim to inform discussions and make sure a wider range of perspectives is included when decisions are made.
Fiji’s selection as the host demonstrates the growing role of the Pacific nation within the Commonwealth. Delegates from all over the Pacific, including law ministers from Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and other island states, are also expected to participate actively, sharing regional insights on how legal systems can respond to unique economic, social, and environmental pressures.
The end results of the meeting are likely to have changes beyond the legal community. Officials say that discussions and agreements reached during the CLMM will help shape the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda later in the year 2026, where leaders will confront much larger strategic issues affecting the global association.
This year’s gathering also arrives at a time when the Commonwealth Secretariat is stepping up its work on legal cooperation, governance, and access to justice. Recent initiatives have included capacity‑building for law ministries, support for election observation missions, and efforts to bring legal protections into line with evolving digital and climate realities.
As member countries face shared challenges from economic inequalities to emerging technologies, the 2026 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Fiji marks an important moment for strengthening the values of fairness, accountability, and inclusive justice that imprints on the Commonwealth Charter.
