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\rsid5924513\rsid7933532\rsid9594946}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.4219;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author Emalus Campus}{\operator ehndvaun_d}{\creatim\yr2003\mo7\dy31\hr18\min29}{\revtim\yr2003\mo7\dy31\hr18\min29}{\version2}
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\f36\fs24\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CIVIL JURISDICTION
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par CIVIL ACTION NO. 509 OF 1995
\par 
\par Between:
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 1.}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220\charrsid5839220  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 YEE WAH NOON
\par 2.}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220\charrsid5839220  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 KUMAGAI GUMI COMPANY LIMITED
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Plaintiffs
\par 
\par and
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 BURNS PHILP (SOUTH SEA) COMPANY LIMITED
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Defendant
\par 
\par and}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 BULA RENTAL LIMITED
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Third Party
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par Mr. Gago for the Plaintiffs
\par Mr. M. Young for Defendant
\par No appearance for Third Party
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx4252\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 JUDGMENT}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par By originating summons dated 6 October 1995, the Plaintiffs are seeking certain Or}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7933532 ders, declarations and damages.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Background
\par 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The second plaintiff (P2) bought motor vehicle Reg. No. CB025 (hereafter referred to as the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220 '}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 vehicle'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
) for the sum of $16,500.00 on 19 January 1989 from the Third Party who were the registered owners of the vehicle on 22 September 1988.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The P2 did not register it in its own name until 6 September 1989.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
Thereafter the first plaintiff (P1) who was employed by P2 at the material time bought the}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
vehicle in September 1990 from P2 for the sum of $7707.34.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The P1 registered it in his name on 21 May 1991.
\par 
\par At the time of purchase by P2 there was no bill of sale over the vehicle.
\par 
\par On 24 December 1991 the defendant seized the vehicle from P1 pursuant to a purported Bill of Sale dated 2 March 1989 given by 3rd Party to the defendant.
\par 
\par The P1 says that at the material time the vehicle could not be lawfully comprised in, neither could it be made the subject of the defendant's purported Bill of Sale as the 3rd Party had sold same to P2 on 19 January 1989;}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 its seizure was therefore unlawful, illegal, invalid and void.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 He also says that the said Bill of Sale and the Deed of Charge }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 "in any event"}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220  are non-registrable instruments under the Bill of Sale Act Cap 225 and the Companies Act Cap. 247.
\par 
\par After the vehicle was seized P1 says that he had to rent a car for use to discharge his duties for one week for the sum of $350.29 between 2 to 8 January 1991.
\par 
\par The defendant neglected, failed and/or refused to return the vehicle to P1 wherefore Plaintiffs claim the following reliefs (as per Originating Summons):
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 1.}{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 A DECLARATION}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220  that at the material time, Motor Vehicle Regist
ration No. CB 005 was not comprised in nor could it be made the subject of the Defendant's purported Bill of Sale and/or Charge dated the 2nd March, 1989 respectively, within the meaning of Section 2 of the Bill of Sale Act, Cap 225 and Sections 98 and 99
 of the Companies Act, Cap 247.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 2.}{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 A DECLARATION}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
 that at the material time, the Defendant was not the holder of a valid Bill of Sale and/or Charge over Motor Vehicle Registration No. CB 005 and therefore its seizure of the said vehicle on 24th December, 1991 was unlawful, illegal, invalid and void.

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 3.}{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 A DECLARATION}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
 that in any event the purported Bill of Sale and/or Charge is fraudulent, void and unenforceable for non-compliance within the meaning of Sections 7, 9 and 10 of the Bill of Sale Act, Cap. 225 a
nd non-registrable under Sections 98 and 99 of the Companies Act, Cap 247.
\par 
\par }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 4.}{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 AN ORDER}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220  that the Defendant hands over the Motor Vehicle Registration No. CB 005 to the 2nd Plaintiff.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 ALTERNATIVELY}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 , the Defendant pays the value of the said vehicle as purchas
ed by the 1st Plaintiff being the sum of $7,707-34 (seven thousand seven-hundred and seven dollars and thirty-four cents).
\par 
\par }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 5.}{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 AN ORDER}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220  that the Defendant pays to the 1st Plaintiff the sum of $350-29 (three hundred and fifty dollars and twenty-nine dollars
) being the sum paid on the hire of a rental car after the 1st Plaintiff's vehicle was seized.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 6.\tab Damages.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7933532 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 7.\tab The Costs of these proceedings.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par For the defendant, GOPAL KRISHNA in his affidavit sworn 19 December 1995 states that the 3rd Party purported to unlawfully give the vehicle as security to the defendant and or represent itself as able to provide a Bill of Sale.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
The defendant's claim against the 3rd Party is that it should be indemnified by 3rd Party should the defendant be found liable to the Plaintiffs.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The defendant says that as far as it is concerned the 3rd Party is the mortgagor under the Bill of Sale dated 2 March 1989 given to the defendant as mortgagee over the vehicle.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 KRISHNA states that the search at the Department of Road Transport as to
 the ownership of the vehicle reveals that the 3rd Party was the owner as at 2 March 1989.
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par Issues
\par 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The issues for determination are:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-698\li1418\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1418\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 (a)\tab 
Whether at the material time, the Third Party was seised of the interests in the Motor vehicle registration No. CB 055 as to grant a charge over it in favour of the Defendant after he had sold it to the 2nd Plaintiff.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
In other words, could the said vehicle be made the subject of the Bill of Sale and/or Charge by the Third Party at the material time? and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7933532 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-698\li1418\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1418\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 (b)\tab Whether the 
Defendant's Bill of Sale and Charge are valid and enforceable in law as to defeat the Plaintiff's title.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Consideration of the issues}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par 
\par It is the Plaintiffs' contention that the 3rd Party had sold the vehicle to P2 on 19 January 1989, that is, well before the purported Bill of Sale and possession was given to P2.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 However, P2 admits that the ownership was not registered with the Department of Road Transport in time until 6 September 1989.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 It submits that non-registration did not vitiate the sale.
\par 
\par The situation in this case is that when the 3rd Party gave the Bill of Sale on 2 March 1989 it had already sold the vehicle to P2, but P2's ownership was not registered with the Transport Department until 6 September 1989.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The search Report reveals ownership was in 3rd Party on 22 September 1988 and in P2 on 6 September 1989.
\par 
\par It therefore appears that when the Defendant took Bill of Sale it was aware from the record at the Road Transport}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
that the 3rd Party was the registered owner.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Then on 21 May 1991 the P1 was registered as the owner when he bought the vehicle from P2.

\par 
\par The defendant's financial controller in the affidavit he filed said that the Third Party fraudulently purported to transfer the vehicle to the Plaintiffs in violation of the defendant mortgagees' registered interest in the vehicle.
\par 
\par The defendant denies any liability as claimed by the Plaintiffs.
\par 
\par In reply to the defendant's affidavit the Plaintiffs say that the 3rd Party could not have purchased the vehicle on or about March 1989 as it was clearly th
e registered owner on 22 September 1988 but the defendant produced a search certificate from the Department of Road Transport dated 20 December 1995 stating that as at 2nd March 1989 the 3rd Party was the registered owner of the vehicle from 22 September 
1988 to 28 May 1991.
\par 
\par The Search Certificate dated 4 September 1995 produced by the first plaintiff shows that P1's ownership of the vehicle was registered on 21 May 1991.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 It also shows that Mr. Dalip Singh was owner on 9.4.87; the other subsequent owners were 3rd Party on 22.9.88 and 2nd Plaintiff on 6.9.89.
\par 
\par The 3rd Party neither entered an appearance nor did it appear at the hearing.
\par 
\par In support of their claim the Plaintiffs called MR. MOSESE TUKI YASA, the Industrial Relations Officer, of the second Plaintiff, as their witness.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 He took an active part in the purchase of the vehicle from the 3rd Party and he paid for it by cheque the sum of $16,500.00.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 He asked for transfer form but the 3rd Party said that it will sign it upon expiry of the 3rd Party Policy.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Registration of ownership took place on 6 September 1989.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
This witness said that he does not know anything about the Bill of Sale; all he knows is that he took delivery of the vehicle after paying for it.
\par 
\par The defendant's witness was }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 MR. MICHAEL LEE}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 , the Credit Manager of Asco Motors.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 He is employed by the Defendant and Asco Motors is defendant's subsidiary company.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }
{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 His duties involve looking after Bill of Sale.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
He outlined briefly the procedure that is followed when taking a bill of sale over a vehicle.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
The witness said that he has the file in the matter which shows that there is a Certificate from the Solicitor certifying that the Bill of Sale once registered becomes a first charge }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220 '}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 which means no prior encumbrances'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 He disagreed with his predecessor and said that his vehicle was not sold to 3rd Party but the defendant merely took Bill of Sale }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 "to secure existing debts or advances - no new lending"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 .
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Findings
\par 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Upon considering the whole of the evidence before me I find that: (a) the second plaintiff purc
hased the said vehicle from the 3rd Party on 19 January 1989 and paid for it but it had not registered its ownership until 6 September 1989 (b) similarly, the first plaintiff bought the vehicle from the second plaintiff in September 1990 but did not regis
ter his ownership until 21 May 1991 (c) the defendant took security for the then existing debts and advance from the 3rd Party by taking a bill of sale over the vehicle and other vehicles; this was done on 2 March 1989.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 At that time the vehicle was already 
sold to the second plaintiff on January 1989 but the second Plaintiff's ownership was not registered with the Transport Department until after the Bill of Sale was granted.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Similarly, the first plaintiff bought the vehicle from the second plaintiff but he did not register his ownership until 21 May 1991.
\par 
\par I find as fact that when the defendant took the Bill of Sale as security, the vehicle had already been sold to the second plaintiff but there was no existing Bill of Sale over it.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Granted that the record a
t the Transport Department showed the 3rd Party as the owner since 1988 and that the defendant had no reason to believe that vehicle did not belong to the 3rd Party, and that a proper search was made at the Transport Department and the solicitor's certifi
cate was obtained that there were no encumbrances, it was a serious lapse on the part of the defendant not to have ascertained where the vehicle was and in whose possession it was.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 It was abundantly clear that the defendant never in fact inspected the vehicle or even saw it before it took Bill of Sale over it.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
This indeed was a serious lapse and fatal to the defendant's defence, and I see no reason why an innocent purchaser should suffer for it irrespective of when the ownership of the vehicle was entered in the record kept by the Department of Road Transport.

\par 
\par The seizure of the vehicle was in these circumstances unlawful as the vehicle did not belong to the 3rd Party when it gave this as security.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The 3rd Party knew very well that it had already sold it to the Second Plaintiff when it gave the Bill of Sale.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The Company (3rd Party) was completely dishonest in its dealings with the defendant.
\par 
\par I therefore find that the defendant should compensate the first plaintiff for the loss it has suffered as claimed.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The
 second plaintiff has not suffered any loss as it had already bought the vehicle and subsequently sold to it}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7933532 s employee the first plaintiff.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par 
\par I also find that it is the 3rd Party which is solely liable to the defendant for having given the bill of sale to the defendant when it had already sold the vehicle to the second plaintiff.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 The 3rd Party chose not to defend this action which could also be taken as admission of liability.
\par 
\par In the outcome, for the above reasons, there will therefore be judgment for the f
irst Plaintiff against the Defendant in the sum of $7707.34 being the value of the vehicle and the sum of $350.29 being the sum paid by the first plaintiff on the hire of a rental car after the vehicle was seized making the total sum of $8057.43 with cost
s to the first Plaintiff against the defendant which is to be taxed unless agreed.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
As for damages claim I would like to hear counsel on this and if pursued it will have to be assessed.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
There will also be judgment for the defendant against BULA RENTALS LIMITED (the Third Party) to indemnify the defendant {\*\bkmkstart QuickMark}{\*\bkmkend QuickMark}in the amount of the judgment and damages when assessed with costs to the Defen}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7933532 dant to be taxed if not agreed.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 D. Pathik
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 Judge}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513\charrsid5839220 
\par At Suva
\par 7 August 1997}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5924513 
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5839220 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220\charrsid5839220 HBC}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220 0509J.95S}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5839220\charrsid5839220 
\par }}