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10.0.6829;}{\info {\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI AT SUVA}{\operator freriks_k}{\creatim\yr2008\mo12\dy1\hr15\min17}{\revtim\yr2009\mo1\dy21\hr9\min57}{\version4}{\edmins6}{\nofpages4}{\nofwords1010}{\nofchars5763}{\nofcharsws6760}{\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\rsidroot9206844 \fet0{\*\wgrffmtfilter 013f}\sectd \sbknone\linex0\headery1440\footery1440\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid9206844\sftnbj {\headerr \pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\pvpara\posx0\posy0\absw9361\nowrap\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid9206844 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f 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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA 069 of 2002S \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Between:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 FAIR TRADING \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 And:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 SURENDRA PRASAD MOTORS \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389\charrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 27th September 2002 \par Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389\charrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 2nd October 2002 \par \par Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389\charrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Ms S. Waqainabete for Appellant \par Respondent in Person \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389\charrsid5050389 JUDGMENT}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par On 27th November 2001, the Respondent was charged with the following offence: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Statement of Offence \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 ACCEPTING PAYMENT WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SUPPLY AS ORDERED:}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Contrary to section 67(1)(b) of the Fair Trading Decree No. 25 of 1992. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Particulars of Offence}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Between the 24th day of July and the 24th day of August 1998, SURENDRA PRASAD MOTORS, a business registered under the Registration of Business Names Act Cap. 249 whose registered office is at Lot 2 Hanuman Street, Bhindi Subdivision, Vatuwaqa, Suva, had accepted part-payment of $480.00 (Four Hundred and Eighty Dollars) for an oral agreement to carry out general repair works on the body of the car whose registration number is BI 052.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 For which at the time of the acceptance there was a reasonable awareness that the business would not be able to supply the car whose registration number is BI052 within the given time. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The matter was called before a Magistrate on 13th December 2001.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Neither prosecution, nor the accused appeared.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The case was adjourned to 8th February 2002.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 On that day, the Respondent (who was not represented by counsel), pleaded not guilty to the charge.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The case was adjourned to 4th March 2002 for mention, and then to 14th May 2002 for another mention.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 On 14th May, the prosecutor failed to appear.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The case was adjourned again to the 10th of June 2002.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 On 10th June 2002, the case was again adjourned for mention to 24th June 2002.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 No reasons were given for the granting of these numerous mention dates.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 On the 24th of June 2002, the prosecutor again did not appear.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The Respondent said he had not been served with any of the witness statements (\'93disclosures\'94) and the court noted as follows: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \'93I note the complainant\rquote s unavailability.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 This is not the first time that they have not appeared.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Accused has appeared throughout from 8/2/02.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 I exercise my discretion under section 203 of th e Criminal Procedure Code and dismiss the charge.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Accused discharged.\'94 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par The Director of Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs has filed an appeal against this order.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The appeal petition mistakenly refers to the order as one for acquittal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 In fact, the Responde nt was not acquitted, he was purportedly discharged.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 However, counsel for the Appellant, said at the hearing of this appeal that the Suva Magistrate\rquote s Court had refused to accept a fresh charge for filing after the \'93discharge\'94, because the order was treated as an order for acquittal. \par \par The grounds of appeal are as follows: \par \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 a)\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\jclisttab\tx720\wrapdefault\faauto\ls2\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 the learned Resident Magistrate erred in law when he failed to exercise his discretion judicially to allow an adjournment; \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 b)\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\jclisttab\tx720\wrapdefault\faauto\ls2\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 the learned Magistrate erred in law applying section 308 CPC in the manner that he did.\'94 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The purported dismissal of charge was made under section 203 of the Criminal Procedure Code.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 It was made, not on a date set for hearing, but on a mention date.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The Respondent in his written submissions, said that the dismissal of the charge did not lead to acquittal, and was justified because the offence was allegedly committed in 1998.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 He further said that the appeal was trivial, misconceived and should be dismissed. \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15498560 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Adjournment}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par It is not apparent from the record, why the case was continuously being adjourned from December 2001.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 In the absence of any application made by either party for an adjournment, it is safe to assume that mention dates were being fixed because the court itself was not ready to set a hearing date.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Further, on three occasions, the case was being handled by other magistrates.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 It is true that the prosecutor failed to appear on two occasions, and that the accused was present on all occasions.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 However, if the case was being continuously adjourned at the court\rquote s convenience, the decision to dismiss the charge because the prosecutor did not appear, does not appear to be in the interests of justice.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The best course of action would have been either to set a hearing date convenient to the accused (the prosecutor having forfeited her right to be consulted) or to set another mention date to agree on \par a hearing date.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Although, there was no one present to request an adjournment, the learned Magistrate should have considered that as an option anyway. \par \par As the Court of Appeal said in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Rajesh Chand & Shailesh Kumar -v- the State}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Crim. App. No. AAU0056 of 1999S: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \'93 Where the refusal of an adjournment would seriously prejudice a party, the application should be granted.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 If not granted, an appellate court will intervene if the discretion has not been exercised judicially or where its exercise was based on a wrong principle or resulted in an injustice.\'94 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par The learned Magistrate failed to consider that the case had been adjourned on numerous occasions without a hearing date being set, that those adjournments had not been at the request of the prosecution and that the 24th of June 2002, was not set for the hearing of the trial, but was only a mention date.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The decision not to adjourn to another date was therefore not made judicially.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 This ground of appeal succeeds. \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15498560 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The dismissal of the charge}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par Section 203(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code provides as follows: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \'93 If at the time or place to which the hearing or further hearing is adjourned, the accused person does not appear before the court which has made the order of adjournment, such court m ay unless the accused person is charged with felony, proceed with the hearing or further hearing as if the accused was present, and if the complainant does not appear the court may dismiss the charge with or without costs as the court shall think fit.\'94 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 As I said in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The Ministry of Labour & Industrial Relations -v- Merchant Bank of Fiji Ltd.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Crim. App. No. HAA 011 of 2002, the discretion to dismiss the charge under section 203 of the Criminal Procedure Code, must be exercised judicially.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 In this case the de cision was made on a mention date, without making an enquiry about the readiness of the accused for trial or about the possibility of simply setting a hearing date.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 The dismissal of the charge was followed by a refusal to accept a fresh charge.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 There was therefore real prejudice to the prosecution. \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 This ground of appeal succeeds on the ground that the learned Magistrate failed to exercise her discretion under section 203 of the Code, judicially. \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15498560 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Result}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par The grounds of appeal against the dismissal of the charge are successful.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5050389 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 I order that the case be remitted to the Magistrate\rquote s Court for a hearing date to be set on the basis of the original charge. \par \par }\pard \qc \fi-90\li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 Nazhat Shameem \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 JUDGE}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5050389 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9206844\charrsid5050389 \par At Suva \par 2nd October 2002 \par }}