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HBA 22 OF 2001S \par (NAUSORI MAGISTRATES\rquote COURT CIVIL ACTION NO. 97 OF 1999) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 Between: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 ABHAY KUMAR SINGH \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 and \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 LALITA KUMAR \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \par Appellant in person \par Ms. J. Narayan for the Respondent \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \par The Appellant is a barrister and solicitor who formerly practised under the name of G.P. Shankar & Co., Nausori.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 He gave evidence to the Nausori Magistrates Court (J. Singh Esq. R.M.)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 that on 7 January 1997 one G. Prasad gave instruction to him to act for him in an estate matter.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 A copy of the instructions was produced (p. 29 of the record).}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 The instructions are somewhat ambiguous as the \'93Fees Quoted \'94 are $6000 (upon which a deposit of $20 was paid) but the \'93agreed\'94 figure was stated to be \'93as will be in the final bill\'94.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 The Appellant offered the Resident Magistrate an explanation of the meaning of these instructions which was (page 60 of the record) that: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \'93I quoted my fees at $6000 as total fees.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 He agreed to pay whatever I billed him but it was not to exceed $6,000.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 He paid $20.00 as deposit.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 He signed instruction sheet\'94 . \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \par It will be noted that this explanation envisages that the instructions were to be followed by at least one bill.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \par \par In November 1998 and after G. Prasad died his widow, the Defendant in the Magistrates\rquote Court (Respondent in this Court) received a bill from G.P. Shankar and Co.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 It amounted to $3,065 (pages 36 & 37 of the record).}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 In December 1998 the Defendant complained to the Fiji Law Society.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 She asserted that the proper amount due was only $1,700 of which only $80 remained unpaid. \par \par The Defendant\rquote s case before the Magistrate was that on a date which she could not recall but subsequent to May 1997 she was given a bill for the work done by G.P. Shankar & Co.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 A copy of this bill is to be found at page 42 of the record.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 It shows an initial fee of $900 followed by a further $800, a payment of $1,500 and a balance due of $200. \par \par The Appellant\rquote s case in the Magistrates\rquote Court was that this bill had been prepared by his secretary without his authority.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 She was subsequently dismissed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 Mr. Singh suggested that the bill should be disregarded.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 He did not call the former secretary to testify and did not challenge the Defendant\rquote s assertion that the bill was given to her by Mr. Singh\rquote s wife in a sealed envelope at the offices of G.P. Shankar & Co.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 Furthermore, it was not disputed that the Appellant\rquote s wife later deleted a 15% interest penalty term which was included at the foot of the bill after representations were made to her by the Defendant who went back to the Appellant\rquote s office on a later date. \par \par After suggesting}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 that the second bill should be regarded as void, the Appellant relied on the fact of G. Prasad\rquote s signature on the instructions.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 When confronted with this signature the Defendant stated that it was not her late husband \rquote s.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 In the absence of any expert evidence the Resident Magistrate declined to attempt a comparison of signatures himself. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 He found that the Appellant had failed to establish on the balance of probabilities that the signature was that of Mr. Prasad. \par \par This finding by the Resident Magistrate gives rise to the first ground of appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 The Appellant argued that since his evidence was that G. Prasad had signed the instructions it must follow that a failure to find that the signature was that of G. Prasad entailed the conclusion that the App ellant had acted fraudulently, obviously a very serious matter for a person in the Appellant\rquote s position.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 However the Appellant pointed out that fraud had not been pleaded as it should have been if the Defendant was to rely on such an allegation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 Therefore,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 it was argued, the Resident Magistrate had wrongly failed to dismiss that part of the Defendant\rquote s case. \par \par With respect, I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 do not agree.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 In the first place the Defendant did not carry the onus of proof and in the second place a finding by the Resident Magistrate}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 that the authenticity of the signature had not been proved does not lead inexorably to the conclusion that the Appellant acted fraudulently; he may, for example, simply have been mistaken. \par \par The Appellant\rquote s second principal ground of appeal was to the effect that the Resident Magistrate erred in holding that the Appellant was bound by the second bill, a bill which he averred had been prepared by his typist.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 Mr. Singh cited a number of authorities as well as Order XXXVII, rule 1 of the Magistrates\rquote Courts Rules in support of the proposition that a bill of costs must be signed either by the practitioner himself or a partner before a suit for the recovery of such costs may be commenced. \par \par Once again, with respect, I have to differ.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 This is not a case of a practitioner\rquote s claim being liable to dismissal because the bill was not signed as required by law, it is a case where a client is propounding a bill handed to her at her legal adviser\rquote s office by her legal adviser\rquote s wife and made out on the legal adviser \rquote s headed note paper.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 As I see it, the fact that the bill was prepared by an employee who happened to be a typist cannot affect the issue.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 In my opinion the Defendant had every ground for accepting the second bill to be that of the Appellant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 Even though her evidence was that she was unaware of any instructions signed by her former husband in my view it would have made little difference even had she known of that document.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 As already pointed out the first document was ambiguous and I do not find the bill to be inconsistent with it. \par \par The Resident Magistrate who tried this case did not have an enviable task.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 It is never pleasant to have to judge a fellow practitioner.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 In my opinion the Appellant was fortunate to come before such a respected and experienced and scrupulously fair tribunal who, while rejecting the bulk of the Appellant\rquote s claim nevertheless awarded him a further sum of $1,080.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 I suspect that the real source of this claim was a muddle or misunderstanding in the handling of the Defendant\rquote s account.} {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12278442 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 There is no evidence of fraud but I accept the Resident Magistrate\rquote s conclusion that the Appellant\rquote s claim could, only to a very limited degree, be upheld. \par \par The appeal fails and is dismissed. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15233360 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid15233360 M.D. Scott \par Judge \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12278442 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14224703\charrsid12278442 \par 23 January 2002 \par }}