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{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 C}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1325025\charrsid16325096 A NO. 12/}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10255843\charrsid16325096 07 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10443654 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10255843\charrsid16325096 APPLICATION NO. 344/}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9666326\charrsid16325096 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3632562 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10255843\charrsid16325096 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16325096 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 IN THE MATTER}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13137489\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 of Article 60(3) of the Constitution \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3632562 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9666326\charrsid16325096 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16325096 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 AND \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3632562 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9666326\charrsid16325096 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16325096 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 IN THE MATTER}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1055892\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 of an application by }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1055892\charrsid16325096 TE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16457059 }{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 TIKA MATAIAPO}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 and }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 KAUTAI MATAIAPO}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 \par for special leave }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10443654 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid10443654 Applicants}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16457059 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16325096 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9666326\charrsid16325096 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10443654 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16457059 Before}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 : Barker JA (Presiding)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1055892\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 Fisher JA}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1055892\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 Paterson JA \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3632562 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1055892\charrsid16325096 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10443654 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16457059 Counsel:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 Mrs T P Browne for Applicants in support}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid10443654 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 Mr A Manarangi for members of the Raina family to oppose \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16325096 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1055892\charrsid16325096 \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659624\charrsid16457059 Date of H}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16457059 earing}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 : 26 November 2008 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659624\charrsid16325096 \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659624\charrsid16457059 Date of J}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16457059 udgment}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 : 28 November 2008 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659624\charrsid16325096 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13526141 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid10443654 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT}{ \b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12212789\charrsid10443654 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16325096 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5265217\charrsid10443654 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347464\charrsid16325096 1.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1588865\charrsid16325096 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 On 9 May 1995 Quilliam CJ accepted a report from Dillon J sitting in the Land Division, a report which the Chief Justice had requested pursuant to s. 3}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16457059 90A(3) of the Cook Islands Act 1}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 915 (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 the Act}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 ). The Chief Justice in line with Dillon J}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 s recommendation, decl}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16457059 ined an application made by the applicants pursuant to s. 390A(1}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 ) of the Act, which had sought to amend a Partition order made in 1908. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9862244\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 2.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16457059 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 On 5 November 2007, the applicants filed in this Co urt an application for special leave to appeal the above decision. The application was made pursuant to Article 60(3) of the Constitution. \par \par 3. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9862244\charrsid16325096 In the Tumu appeal (CA 3/}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 08), in which judgment has been delivered today, this Court held that there was no jurisdiction under Article 60(3) of the Constitution to entertain an application for leave to appeal from a decision of the Chief Justice declinin}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16457059 g an application under s. 390A(1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 ). This is because s. 390A(2) is to be treated as }{ \fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid10443654 "a limitation as may be prescribed by Act"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 of the kind envisaged by Article 60(3). S. 390A(2) expressly forbids appeals against orders of the Chief Justice refusing an order under s. 390A(1).}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11931667\charrsid16325096 \par \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 4. Accordingly, following its decision in the }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid10443654 Tumu }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 appeal, the Court determines that there is no jurisdiction to grant special leave to appeal the decision of the Chief Justice declining the application under s. 390A(1). \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11931667\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1973817\charrsid16325096 5}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 . However, Mrs Browne for the applicants submitted that there was jurisdiction for this Court to entertain an application for spe cial leave to appeal a ruling of Dillon J, made in the course of the hearing which he conducted before presenting his 390A(3) report to the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16457059 then Chief Justice on 8 May 1995}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 . \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11931667\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 6. Mrs Browne submitted - and the contemporary documentation supports her claim - that the formal orders as drawn up in the Minute Book in 1908 did not accord with the record of the "Cook and other Is}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16457059 lands Land Titles Court" dated 1}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 October 1908. In particular the names of some persons in whose favour orders were made, had been omitted. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6972518\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 7. Dillon J in his report considered that s. 390A(10) constituted a bar to his amending the Partition Orders. Counsel for the applicants before him had felt obliged to concur in the Judge}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 s view. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6972518\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 8. Counsel for the applicants then argued before Dillon J that s. 44 of the Judicature Act 1980-1 entitled the Judge to make an}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13526141 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 amendment to the formal order so as to reflect the intention of the Court when making t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6972518\charrsid16325096 he partition order back in 1908.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6972518\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 9. S. 44 of the Judicature Act provides: }{\i\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 Amendments.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 "}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 A Judge m ay at any time amend any minute or judgment of the Court or any other record of the Court in order to give effect to the true intent of the Court in respect thereof or truly to recor}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5329361\charrsid16325096 d the course of any proceeding.}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 "}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6972518\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 10. Dillon J he}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14639093 ld that s. 44, described by him}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 as }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 the slip clause}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 , did not provide jurisdiction to amend a sealed Court decision made 85 years previously. He considered that s. 390A(10) applied to require him to report against granting the application and that he had no jurisdiction to consider the s. 44 application. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15279980\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 11. However, the decision which but for Article 60(3) of the Constitution, could have been the subject of a leave to appeal application is that of the Chief Justice. He may or may not accept the recommendation in the Land Division Judge}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 s report. In this case, the Chief Justice did accept the report }{ \fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 in toto. \par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15279980\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 12. Therefore, the decision to be considered as a candidate for the granting of special leave to appeal is that of the Chief Justice. S. 390A(2) precludes an appeal. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14488357\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 13. Even if a right of appeal against Dillon J}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 s refusal to make a s. 44 order were possible, there is no justification for granting special leave to appeal in the circumstances of this case. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14488357\charrsid16325096 \par 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 4. The delay is one of 12 years from the date of the order of Quilliam CJ to the date of the filing of the present application. The affidavit of Te Tika Mataiapo states that leave to appeal the Chief Justice}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 s decision had been given in the High Court by Gilbert J on 7 December 1995 and security for costs was then fixed. The appeal}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9518356\charrsid16325096 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 was formally dismissed by Greig CJ on 16 May 2001 because the security for costs had not been paid. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7358737\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 15. Nobody seems to have drawn the attention of either judge to the difficulty raised by Article 60(2) as to the granting of leave to appeal against a decision refusing a s. 390A(1) order. The prohibition of certain appeals imposed by Article 60(2) (relat ing to appeals to this Court by leave of the High Court) is differently expressed, but is to the same effect as the prohibition in Article 60(3), as discussed in the }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 Tumu }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 decision. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7358737\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 16. Moreover, the file reveals a letter from the Registrar to the applicant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 s then solicitors, dated 9 July 1999, advising that, since security had not been paid and no attempt made to bring the appeal to finality, the Registrar proposed to refer the files to a judge formally to record that the appeal}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4343299\charrsid16325096 is to be regarded as abandoned.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9311729\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 17. Te Tika Mataiapo deposes that the agreement to the abandonment of the appeal had been on the instruction of a Mr Numanga then representing the applicants and who had instructed counsel to withdraw the appeal. She had no knowledge of what Mr Numang a had done. He had had health problems and did not communicate the condition about security for costs to her. She said that it was "}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid12921382 only when we encountered problems recently}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 that she approached counsel and was told that the appeal had been withdrawn in 2 001. She claims that there would be no prejudice to the respondents if leave to appeal were granted. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9311729\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 18. In our view, the delay is inordinate. It is compounded by the fact that the person evidently having carriage of the proceedings chose to abandon an ap peal seven years ago. In fact, the appeal was deemed to have been abandoned much earlier by virtue of rule 12 of the Court of Appeal Rules. Gilbert J}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16325096 '}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 s order required security for costs to have been paid within two months - i.e. by 7 February}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9311729\charrsid16325096 19}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 96. When it had not been paid by that date and without any extension having been sought, Rule 12 meant automatic abandonment. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9311729\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 19. Authorities under Article 60(3) of the Constitution stress the need for the Court to consider delay as a significant factor in granting special leave. Since the long delay has no proper explanation and there has already been one application for leave which the then representative of the applicants allowed to expire, it would be quite wrong for the Court to allow this application. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3896902\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 20. It i s not to be assumed that applications for leave brought years out of time under Article 60(3) will succeed in the absence of plausible and reasonable explanations for the delay and/or important question of public interest to be determined. We cannot see a ny public interest consideration here which could possibly outweigh in seriousness that inordinate delay. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9728723\charrsid16325096 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7283466\charrsid16325096 21}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 . For all the above reasons, the application for special leave under Article 60(3) is dismissed with costs to the respondent of $750 plus disbursem}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9728723\charrsid16325096 ents as fixed by the Registrar.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7276009 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 Barker JA}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6040141\charrsid16325096 \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 Fisher JA}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6040141\charrsid16325096 \par Pa}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 terson}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11272638\charrsid16325096 JA}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15603880\charrsid16325096 \par }}