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{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI (AT SUVA)}{\author Amelia Rasovo}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2004\mo8\dy30\hr10\min55}{\revtim\yr2004\mo8\dy31\hr9\min25}{\printim\yr2002\mo7\dy12\hr11\min29}{\version3}{\edmins10}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords790}
{\nofchars4504}{\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws5284}{\vern16389}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow0
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\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 \fs20\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695\charrsid9443695 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 (AT SUVA)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 CIVIL ACTION HBC 0028 OF 2001S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 Between:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 JIMIONE BIUMAIWAI
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 Plaintiff
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 FIJI ISLANDS REVENUE AND CUSTOMS AUTHORITY
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 Defendant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par N. Vere for the Plaintiff
\par Ms. B. Malimali for the Defendant
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 DECISION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par In May 1999 a general election was held.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
Polling officials were needed and as usual the Supervisor of Elections looked to the civil service to provide some of the required personnel.
\par 
\par On 24 March 1999 the Director General of the Fiji Islands Customs Service wrote to the Divisional Planning Officer Eastern.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
He recommended the Plaintiff \'93to work during the election period from 8/5/99 to 15/5/99\'94.
\par 
\par On 14 May the Director General wrote to the Plaintiff:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695\charrsid9443695 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 \'93
In view of your continuous absence from duty since 3/5/09 you are hereby deemed to have resigned from the service forthwith.\'94
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par On 15 October 1999 a trade dispute was accepted by the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Industrial Relations arising out of the termination of the Plaintiff\rquote s employment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 On 1 March 2000 the Disputes Committee decided that the Plaintiff\rquote s termination had been wrongful and unfair.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 It awarded the Plaintiff reinstatement together with arrears and benefits due to him.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 The Defendant did not appeal against this award.
\par 
\par On 23 January 2001 an Originating Summons was filed by the Plaintiff.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
He sought a declaration that the decision of the Disputes Committee was \'93valid in law\'94 and \'93a determination of the Court that the Plaintiff is entitled to claim damages from the Defendant as a result of his unlawful dismissal\'94.
\par 
\par In his 30 paragraph supporting affidavit the Plaintiff rehearsed the circumstances of his termination and reinstatement.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
He then went on to allege that as a result of his dismissal a farming project in which he was involved collapsed, that bankruptcy proceedings were commenced against him, that he had been \'93made a laughing stock\'94
 and that he and his family had suffered \'93tremendous emotional harm\'94.
\par 
\par On 12 February 2000 the Defendant filed its affidavit in opposition.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
While accepting that the Disputes Committee had found in favour of the Plaintiff and that he had been reinstated with lost pay and benefits the Defendant\rquote s personnel officer denied that the Plaintiff had been unlawfully dismissed or terminated.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 He also generally denied the other losses which the Plaintiff stated he had suffered or incurred.
\par 
\par On 1 March 2000 the Plaintiff filed an application under RHC O18 r 18 to strike out the Statement of Defence on the ground that}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
no reasonable defence was disclosed and that it was scandalous frivolous or vexatious.
\par 
\par On 25 May when the matter came before me I pointed out that the Originating Summons procedure employed by the Plaintiff was clearly inappropriate given the several issues of fact raised in his affidavit.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 I gave the Plaintiff leave to file a Statement of Claim and ordered that the matter proceed as if commenced by writ.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 The Statement of Claim was filed on 13 June.
\par 
\par On 9 July 2001 the Defendant filed its own summons under the provisions of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 RHC O18 r 18.
\par 
\par On 8 November the matter again came before me. Mr. Vere confirmed that the main purpose of the Plaintiff\rquote s claim was to recover damages arising from the loss of the farming operation and compensation for mental suffering.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 He acknowledged that the Statement of Claim as filed was deficient and sought leave to amend.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 Leave was granted.
\par 
\par On 8 November 2001 an amended Statement of Claim running to 54 paragraphs was filed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
The Plaintiff sought damages for breach of contract, negligence and breach of statutory duty.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par 
\par On 8 March 2000 the Plaintiff filed a summons under}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 RHC O14 seeking summary judgment with damages to be assessed.
\par 
\par On 12 April the Defendant indicated that it wished to proceed with the Strike Out application in respect of the amended Statement of Claim.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 I adjourned the two summonses to 10 July for hearing.
\par 
\par On 10 July Ms. B. Malimali appeared on behalf of the Defendant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 She filed a careful and learned written submission.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 The main thrust of her argument was that the Plaintiff had no arguable basis for his claim that the Defendant had in a
ny way breached its statutory duties, that in any event such a claim does not give rise to an action for damages and that furthermore the damages claimed were hopelessly remote.
\par 
\par Mr. Vere did not answer Ms. Malimali\rquote s submissions in any detail.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 He content
ed himself with stating that the Defendant could not deny that the Plaintiff had been wrongly terminated and that the damages which he was seeking flowed naturally from the Defendant\rquote  wrongful actions.
\par 
\par I do not think that I am alone in having experience that there is a tendency in Fiji to resort rather too frequently to Order 18 r 18.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 As is clear from the commentaries in the White Book to Orders 14 and 18 it is only in the clearest circumstances that parties will not be allowed to prosecute their case.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 Where there are arguable issues of fact summary judgment will not be given and pleadings will not be struck out.
\par 
\par In the present action I find that arguable points of law have been raised by the Defendant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
I also find that potentially complicated issues of causation have been raised by the Plaintiff.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
This is not a suitable case for summary judgment or striking out.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9443695  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 Both applications fail and are dismissed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 M.D. Scott
\par Judge
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9443695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1588656\charrsid9443695 
\par 15 July 2002
\par }}