{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f3\froman\fcharset2\fprq2{\*\panose 05050102010706020507}Symbol;}
{\f38\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f39\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f41\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f42\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}
{\f43\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f44\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f45\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f46\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}}
{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;
\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 
Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*
\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\tblind0\tblindtype3\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\*\cs15 \additive \sbasedon10 \ssemihidden footnote reference;}}
{\*\rsidtbl \rsid3627362\rsid9920518\rsid10946412\rsid13447995\rsid13572819\rsid13959463}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6829;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\operator freriks_k}{\creatim\yr2008\mo12\dy3\hr9\min35}
{\revtim\yr2009\mo1\dy20\hr15\min47}{\version6}{\edmins5}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords522}{\nofchars2977}{\nofcharsws3493}{\vern16393}{\*\password 00000000}}{\*\xmlnstbl }\paperw12240\paperh15840\margl1440\margr1440\margt1440\margb1440\gutter0 
\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\grfdocevents0\notabind\wraptrsp\transmf\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\truncatefontheight\subfontbysize\sprsbsp\wpjst\lytprtmet\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3
\jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale100\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot3627362 \fet0{\*\wgrffmtfilter 013f}\sectd \sbknone\linex0\headery1440\footery1440\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid3627362\sftnbj {\headerr \pard\plain 
\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\pvpara\posx0\posy0\absw9361\nowrap\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid3627362 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f "Symbol" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f3\fs24}}}{\field{\*\fldinst {
\insrsid3627362 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid9920518 2}}}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\insrsid3627362 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f "Symbol" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f3\fs24}}}{\insrsid3627362 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3627362 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3627362 
\par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8
\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 
\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CRIMINAL REVISIONAL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 REVISION NO: HAR003 OF 2001S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13572819\charrsid13447995 BETWEEN:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995\charrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid10946412 KARALO NAITUKU
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 Applicant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995\charrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13572819\charrsid13447995 AND:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995\charrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 THE STATE
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx1350\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10946412 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995\charrsid13447995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 Mr. U. Ratuvili for the Proceedings Commissioner
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 Ms. A. Prasad for Respondent
\par 
\par Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995\charrsid13447995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 22nd March 2002
\par Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995\charrsid13447995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 28th March 2002
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995\charrsid13447995 JUDGMENT}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
\par The Human Rights Commission, on behalf of Karalo Naituku has referred this matter to the High Court for review of sentence.
\par 
\par The scenario from which this case arises has become all too familiar.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
Karalo Naituku is a mini-bus driver who, in his absence was convicted and fined in respect of a number of traffic offences.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
He never paid any of his fines, and by 2001, his accumulated fines totalled $1323, with a total term of 950 days imprisonment to be served in default of payment of the fines.
\par 
\par No action was taken in respect of the unpaid fines (some of which were ordered in 1995) until the 27th of February 2001when he was committed to prison to serve the 950 days.
\par 
\par He appealed against his sentence in October 2001, but the records from the Magistrates Courts were not sent to the High Court until February 2002 despite several reminders sent by the Officer-in-charge of the Criminal High Court Registry.
\par 
\par Because of the delay in the setting of the appeal, I decided to proceed in the revisionary jurisdiction of the Court, which in any event, appears to be more appropriate in a case such as this, where the question relates to \'93
the correctness, legality or propriety of any finding, sentence or order recorded or passed and as to the regularity of any proceedings, in any magistrates\rquote  court.\'94
\par 
\par It is clear that the total term of imprisonment being served, that is, of 2 years and 7 months is totally disproportionate to the nature of the offending.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 On that ground alone, the sentence is set aside.
\par 
\par However, I must make several observations, none of which are novel.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 Firstly, in }{
\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 In the Matter of Eroni Delai}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 \~Miscellaneous Proceedings No. HBM15 of 2000, Scott J, in a similar case said:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 \'93For the avoidance of this sort of pr
oblem in future, it is essential that the accumulation of unpaid fines and the consequent accumulation of unserved default periods of imprisonment be avoided.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995  }{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 The Magistrates\rquote  Court must devise a procedure to ensure the execution of warrants reasonably soon after the period given for the payment of fine has expired.\'94
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
\par Both counsel informed me that no such procedure has been devised.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
Changes in the way committal warrants are executed are clearly long overdue.
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 My second observation is that the Applicant appears to have acted with a total disregard for the sentences ordered by the court.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 Although counsel submitted that he thought that the fines would be paid by his employer, it is the Applicant who was charged for the offences, and the Applicant who ought to h
ave taken responsibility for checking on the progress of the fines.
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 My third observation is that, if the Magistrates\rquote 
 Court does not take steps to deal with the problem of accumulated unpaid fines, then some legislative reform may need to be considered to allow for community service to be ordered instead of imprisonment under section 37 of the Penal Code.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 This is perhaps a matter for the DPP\rquote s Office, the Law Reform Commission and the Human Rights Commission, to explore further.
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 In respect of this application, the sentence to be served in default of payment of fines is varied to allow for the Applicant\rquote s release on 22nd March 2002.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 Nazhat Shameem
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 JUDGE}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627362\charrsid13447995 
\par At Suva
\par 28th March 2002
\par }}