Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697736560224.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE, LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS CALL FOR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS The Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights has commenced its review of the following Bills: 1.

Trademarks Bill 2020 (Bill No.

45 of 2020) 2.

Patents Bill 2020 (Bill No.

46 of 2020) 3.

Designs Bill 2020 (Bill No.

47 of 2020) 4.

National Payment Systems Bill 2020 (Bill No.

48 of 2020) 5.

6.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2020 (Bill No.

50 of 2020) 7.
50 of 2020) 7.

Electoral (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Bill 2020 (Bill No.

51 of 2020) 8.

Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) (Amendment) Bill Investment Bill 2020 (Bill No.

49 of 2020) 2020 (Bill No.


52 of 2020) The Trademarks Bill aims to provide for the registration of trademarks in Fiji and for related matters such as, defining the scope of rights protected by registered trademarks; specifying the procedures for registering trademarks in Fiji; deterring counterfeit activity in relation to registered trademarks in Fiji; and ensuring that Fiji’s trademark regime takes account of international developments.
The Patents Bill aims to provide for patents of inventions and for related matters such as:  providing an efficient and effective patent system that promotes innovation and economic growth while providing an appropriate balance between the interests of inventors and patent owners and the interests of society as a whole and complies with Fiji’s international obligations;  ensuring that a patent is granted for an invention only in appropriate circumstances by establishing appropriate criteria for the granting of a patent; and providing for procedures that allow the validity of a patent to be tested; and  providing greater certainty for patent owners and the users of patented inventions that patents will be valid after they are granted.
The Designs Bill aims to provide for the registration and protection of designs in Fiji and designs made by Fijians and makes provision for international arrangements that Fiji may be a party to for the protection of registered designs in Fiji that may be used in other countries and vice-versa.
The National Payment Systems Bill aims to provide for the establishment of the national payment system and for its regulation, oversight and supervision by the Reserve Bank of Fiji and for related matters such as developing and implementing a national payment system framework to promote the stability, safety, efficiency and competitiveness of the Fijian financial system; foster transparency, ensure the interoperability of systems and guarantee fair access to systems, the effective protection of the users of payment services and the existence of a competitive environment favouring financial inclusion; provide for the regulation, oversight and supervision of the national payment system; and establish the National Payment System Council.
The Investment Bill aims to establish legal, social and economic principles for the development of investment activity in Fiji, define the rights, duties and responsibilities of domestic and foreign investors, which contributes to an attractive investment climate in Fiji, increase both foreign and domestic investments; generate employment; contribute to sustainable and social development; and promote growth for the benefit of Fijians.
The Electoral (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the Electoral Act 2014 to reflect the changes recommended by the Electoral Commission and Fijian Elections Office which is based on the Multinational Observer Group’s report on the 2018 General Elections.
The Electoral (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act 2012 to reflect the changes recommended by the Electoral Commission and Fijian Elections Office which is based on the Multinational Observer Group’s report on the 2018 General Elections.
The Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 to reflect the changes recommended by the Electoral Commission and Fijian Elections Office which is based on the Multinational Observer Group’s report on the 2018 General Elections.

In that regard, the Committee invites any interested person or institution to provide their views and comments on the Bills.
Views and comments are to be provided in written form and can be submitted through electronic mail or hard copy correspondence.

Electronic copy of through email address: ira.komaisavai@parliament.gov.fj or jackson.cakcaka@parliament.gov.fj and hardcopy of the written submission can be submitted and addressed to: the written submission can be submitted The Chairperson Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights P.O.

Box 2352 Parliament Complex, Government Buildings, Suva.
It is important to note that written submissions on the National Payment Systems Bill 2020 should be received by 4 p.m., Saturday 16th January 2021.

Written submissions on the remaining Bills should be received by Saturday 13th February 2021.

A copy of http://www.parliament.gov.fj/bills/.

the Bills can be found on the Parliament website, via the link: HON.

ALVICK AVHIKRIT MAHARAJ (CHAIRPERSON)