Kapi is expected to formally retire from the judiciary at the end of the month for health reasons.
A memo circulated by the National and Supreme Courts Registrar Ian Augerea mentioned Kapi’s impending retirement.
The memo alluded to Kapi’s exit and the changes that would occur to the August National Court circuits, affecting the 14 circuit judges.
These judges have had their matters deferred to next month so that they can attend to all reserve Supreme Court decisions in which Kapi was a member.
He has been absent from the judiciary citing poor health since last month.
It is understood that the chief justice had, on Aug. 1, sent out a memo to his colleagues within the judiciary, that he was not well enough to resume duties in August.
He had taken July off for medical reasons and it will be extended through to the end of August.
In that memo, he said his conditions had not improved and was planning to retire at the end of this month.
The National confirmed that Kapi was retiring from office.
Kapi was appointed chief justice on Aug. 16, 2003, replacing Sir Arnold Amet, after serving as deputy chief justice for 10 years.
Kapi had worked for the judiciary since the early seventies, holding various legal positions as a barrister and solicitor in PNG’s legal system prior to his appointment as a judge.
He served the judiciaries of PNG, Australia, Solomon Islands and Fiji extensively and was first appointed to be a judge of the Supreme and National Courts of PNG in December 1979.
Deputy Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, who has been acting chief justice, will continue in that role until the cabinet appoints a new chief justice.
