Fiji Lawyer

In April, Ana Tuiketei-Bolabiu became the first Pacific woman counsel on a global roster working for the ICC in the Hague.

This week, she was elected on the Defence Committee of the ICC's Bar Association.

Tuiketei-Bolabiu said she wanted to see more Pacific lawyers put their hands up to serve at the Hague.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity. But I also realise that as Pacific Islanders and for women that hopefully this is a symbolism for the next generation of law students to join in and be a part of this platform."

Her admission to a cadre of more than 800 senior legal practitioners from all corners of the globe was confirmed last week, and her profile and biographical details will be added to the ICC online database this month.

Ms Bolabiu, a Suva based former prosecutor, accepted an offer to be an addition to the ICC list of duty counsels.

"I was excited," she said Bolabiu of the news of her admission. "I just thought 'what a boost for the Pacific. What a boost for women lawyers, and yes, because I'm a product of the University of the South Pacific."