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\f36\fs24\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CIVIL JURISDICTION
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
\par CIVIL ACTION NO. 535 OF 1992
\par 
\par Between:
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958\charrsid16532958 1. }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 SAMSUL NISHA d/o Nabi Jan
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958\charrsid16532958 2. }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 NAZMUL HUSSEIN d/o Jumman
\par by their Attorney Abdul Hussein
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 Plaintiffs
\par 
\par - and -
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958\charrsid16532958 1. }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 AMINA ALI
\par 2.}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958\charrsid16532958  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 STATE TRANSPORT LIMITED
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958\charrsid16532958 3. }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 SAFAR ALI s/o Mohammed Kasim
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 Defendants
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16532958 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
\par Mr. Manoj Narsey for Mr. G. P. Lala for the Applicants
\par Mr. N.S. Arjun for the Respondents
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx4252\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16532958 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 DECISION}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16532958 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
\par The Applicants who are the second and third defendants are applying by motion (as amended) dated 10 November 1995 seeking orders as follows:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid16532958 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 (a)\tab 
For an order that judgment entered herein be set aside and that the second and third defendants do have leave to file defence and be at liberty to defend this action unconditionally OR that alternatively, in the event that judgment 
is not set aside, the second and third Defendants be granted leave to appeal.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2584990 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid16532958 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 (b)\tab For an order that execution be stayed on the judgment entered by the Court.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16532958 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
\par Mr. Narsey in response to my question said that the prayer }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 "alternatively"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958  is in actual fact an 
application to appeal out of time.
\par 
\par After hearing both counsel I gave an oral decision dismissing the motion and I said that I will give reasons later which I now do.
\par 
\par In support of his motion Mr. Narsey relies on the Affidavit of Saffar Ali (the third defendant - D3) sworn 7 March 1996.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
The said affidavit states, inter alia, that D2 and D3 had nothing to do with the excavation but that it was done by one Makshood Ali;}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 secondly, their solicitor }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 "inadvertently"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
 failed to file defence; thirdly, that they have a valid defence to the action; fourthly, D3 was absent from Fiji; fifthly, his (D3's) solicitors were not aware of the hearing and that he also was not informed.
\par 
\par For the Respondents, Mr. Arjun opposed the application on the grounds that the applicants had full opportunity to defend the action which they did not do.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
Even after judgment when hearing of assessment took place they did not appear despite service of notice of hearing but their solicitor Mr. Savu appeared on the day of the hearing and withdrew from the action.
\par 
\par Mr. Arjun submitted that it is a frivolous application and which is well out of time.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 He says it ought to be refused.
\par 
\par I find that this application is devoid of merits.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 I agree with Mr. Arjun that the application is frivolous bearing in mi
nd the chronology of events.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
From the manner in which Mr. Narsey made his submission I had the clear impression that he realised that he had an uphill battle trying to support his application.
\par 
\par The background to the case is that on 22 January 1993 a default judgment with damages to be assessed was entered against the defendants.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 This was served on D3 on 18 February 1993; the then solicitor for the applicants Mr. I. Fa did file a motion to set aside judgment on 12 March 1993 but this fell by the wayside beca
use their counsel did not appear when matter was adjourned for }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 "settlement"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
 from time to time; thereafter Notice of Assessment of damages was issued by the Plaintiffs on 23 April 1993.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
The hearing of assessment of damages was fixed for 19 October 1993.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 Notice of hearing was served on the applicants.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 Although Mr. I. Fa was the}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 solicitor on record for the applicants, Mr. Savu for G.P. Lala & Associates appeared on the day of hearing of assessment.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 The Court refused to adjourn whereupon Mr. Savu withdrew.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 No n
otice of change of solicitors was filed either, and for all intents and purposes Mr. I. Fa was solicitor on record.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
The applicants themselves were not present that day.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 The Court proceeded to hear assessment of damages.
\par 
\par The applicants are asking the Court to set aside }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 "that judgment"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958  alternatively for leave to appeal out of time.

\par 
\par In view of the history of this case I cannot set aside that judgment as no acceptable reasons have been advanced.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 
Even after applying to set aside judgment D3 and/or his solicitors failed to appear before Kepa J. until finally his Lordship made an order for assessment and the Defendants were served with Notice of hearing of assessment of damages.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 The D3's statement in the said affidavit that neither he nor his solicitors were awar
e of the hearing (I take it for hearing of assessment) goes to show that he is not telling the truth; for one thing Mr. Savu did appear on the hearing of assessment and if he was not aware why would he be present and the only way he would have known of th
e hearing was from the Notice of Hearing of assessment served on D3.
\par 
\par No doubt, the solicitors for the applicants are acting upon instructions, but going by the chronology of events this application is an abuse of the process of the Court.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 The applicants want the whole matter to go back to square one, which cannot happen when they had all the opportunity in the world to defend.
\par 
\par The motion was for these reasons dismissed as being frivolous and devoid of any merit whatsoever.
\par 
\par There was no order as to costs as Mr. Arjun decided to}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16532958  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5060202\charrsid16532958 forego it.
\par 
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