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{\doccomm  IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI;  ( AT SUVA );  CIVIL JURISDICTION; ACTION NO. 416 OF 1989; BETWEEN :      KELERA BOLATINI       Plaintiff;    AND;  FIJI FOREST INDUSTRIES LIMITED    Defendant; Mr. A. R. Matebalavu  : For the Plaintiff; Mr. V. Ma
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\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8284007 \f5\fs24\lang5129\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp5129\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par (AT SUVA)
\par CIVIL JURISDICTION
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
\par ACTION NO. 416 OF 1989
\par 
\par BETWEEN:
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-720\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8284007 {\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 KELERA BOLATINI}{
\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007\charrsid8284007 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Plaintiff
\par 
\par AND
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 FIJI FOREST INDUSTRIES LIMITED}{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007\charrsid8284007 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Defendant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-720\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8284007 {\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 Mr. A. R. Matebalavu: }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 For the Plaintiff
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 Mr. V. Maharaj: }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 For the Defendant
\par 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 Date of Hearing}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 :}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 29th May 1991
\par Date of Ruling: }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 9th September 1991}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
\par 
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\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 I regret the delay in giving this Ruling, due to my unfortunate failure to recall that I was presently seized of this matter.
\par 
\par The Statement of Claim endorsed on the Writ herein which was issued on the 14th November 1989 claims the sum on behalf of the}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Plaintiff of $55,909.75 being the alleged loss and damage}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 suffered}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
by the Plaintiff as a result of illegal logging carried out over a Native Lease owned by the Defendant or its agents particulars of which are said to have been given to the Defendant and which are detailed in the Statement of Claim.}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 I observe that}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 as it stands the Statement of Claim offends one of the basic rules of pleading in that it does not state any date or dates in which the Plaint
iff's loss and damage is said to have been sustained but this may of course be remedied later.
\par 
\par The Statement of Defence which was delivered on the 15th of December 1989, is a general denial of the Plaintiff's claim both as to her ownership of the Native Lease and as to any damage alleged by the Plaintiff.}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 There is a further allegation that the Plaintiff is guilty of laches.
\par 
\par Presently before me is a Notice of Motion issued on the 25th of September 1990 by the Solicitor for the Defendant seeking an order th
at the venue of the hearing of this action be changed from Suva to Labasa on the grounds contained in the Affidavit of Abdul}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Hafiz who is the Accountant for the Defendant.}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Mr. Hafiz requests that the matter be transferred to Labasa because:}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012 
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\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 The Defendant Company is resident in Labasa}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 and carries on business there;
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\par (ii)\tab Although the Plaintiff is said to reside in Suva the land which is the subject matter of the}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 claim is situate in Cakaudrove on the Island of}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Vanua Levu;}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012 
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\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 (iii)\tab That any witnesses which the Plaintiff may have to call include the Forestry Officer at Labasa who are all resident at Labasa;}{
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\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 (iv)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 \tab }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
That the Defendant intends to call several witnesses all of whom live at Labasa;}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007\charrsid8284007 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 (v)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 \tab }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
That the Defendant's Counsel also is based and practises at Labasa;}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007\charrsid8284007 
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That the cause of Action arises on the Island of Vanua Levu and not in Viti Levu;}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012 
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That there are High Court sittings held regularly }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 in Labasa and it is}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 :}{
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\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-720\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8284007 {\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007\charrsid8284007 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li2160\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-720\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin2160\itap0\pararsid8284007 {\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 (a)}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 \tab }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 More expedient to hold the trial in}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Labasa;}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007\charrsid8284007 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 (b)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 \tab }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
Less expensive to hold the trial in}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Labasa;}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007\charrsid8284007 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 (c)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 \tab }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
More convenient for witnesses to attend}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 the Labasa Court and;}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007\charrsid8284007 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 (d)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 \tab }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
Easier to obtain an early hearing date.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-720\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8284007 {\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
\par In reply to the Affidavit of Mr. Hafiz the Plaintiff states that she is the Lessee of the relevant land; that for the purposes o
f prosecuting her claim she proposes to adduce both oral and documentary evidence also by Officers employed in the Ministry of Forestry and who are based in the Central Division at Nausori and Suva.}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 She now resides with her family in Lami and is employed i
n the Ministry of Health at Navua in the Central Division.}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
She will also require her husband, Ropate Bolatini, who resides with her and is employed in the Central Division at Navua, to give evidence.}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Finally she says that it is convenient for her as a Plai
ntiff, for the Witnesses that she is to call and for her Counsel that this Action be heard in the High Court in Suva.
\par 
\par The application is made under Order 33, rule 4 of the Rules of this Court and now Order 33 is silent as to the guidelines governing the most appropriate place of trial.}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 However the former rule 10 provided some guide about the place of trial and laid it down that the Court should }{
\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 "have regard to the convenience of the parties and their witnesses and the date at which the trial can take place."}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 This is still a useful indication.}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
In my own experience the practice of the Courts in Australia and Papua New Guinea has always been that, all other things being equal the Plaintiff normally has the right to choose the place of trial, except in actions involving the recovery of land.}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 As I said recently in Action No. 167 of 1991, }{
\f0\ul\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 Plantation Village Limited v. Stampede Company Limited}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
 in a Ruling delivered on the 19th July 1991, it is well established law that generally, unless there are special considerations to the contrary, the most appropriate place}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 for such actions is in the Court for the District in which the land is situate.}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 This is not such a case.
\par 
\par In my view both the Plaintiff and the Defendant have witnesses residing in the area of the High Court
 in Suva and Labasa but on the present material I can see no reason why, in accordance with the practice I have known, the Plaintiff should not be allowed to choose the place of trial.
\par 
\par As to the claim on behalf of the Defendant that it would be easier to obtain an early hearing date in Labasa rather than Suva,}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
first, there is no evidence before me of this and secondly, my inquiries from the Chief Registrar here suggest that this is not true and that the case is just as likely to be heard comparatively earl
y in Suva as in Labasa where I understand no definite dates for Civil sittings for the rest of the year have been decided.
\par 
\par I therefore reject the application and order that this case remain for hearing in Suva.}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
I should point out to the parties the concluding phrase in Order 33 rule 4(1).}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
If there should be any material change in the location of the parties so that most of the}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007  }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
witnesses eventually are in Labasa then further application can be made to the Court for directions.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx4680\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8284007 {\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 John E. Byrne
\par }{\b\f0\ul\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 J U D G E}{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-720\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8284007 {\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8284007 HBC0416D.89S}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5663012\charrsid8284007 

\par }}