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HBC 327/99S \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 Between: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 APOROSA TALE \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 Plaintiff \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 and \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 1st Defendant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 and \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 2nd Defendant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par Ms. U. Fa for the Plaintiff \par Y. Singh for the Defendant \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 DECISION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par The Plaintiff was formerly employed by the first Defendant as a driver.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 The conditions of his employment were those set out in the Conditions and Rules of Employment for Government Unestablished Workers 1986 (The JIC Agreement). \par \par On 6 February 1997 the Plaintiff\rquote s employment was terminated under the provisions of clause 37 (b) of the JIC Agreement. \par \par On 13 July 1999 the Plaintiff commenced proceedings against the Defendants by way of writ.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 He claimed that he had been wrongfully dismissed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 He sought a declaration to that effect, special damages amounting to $77,120.00 and general damages to be assessed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 He did not seek reinstatement. \par \par On 20 August 1999 a Defence was filed by the two Defendants.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 That was followed by a reply, summons for directions, discovery and p re}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 trial conference.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 On 3 May 2001 the Plaintiff took out a summons to enter the action for trial.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 On the return date of that summons Mr. Singh, who just have taken over the file on behalf of the Defendants, advised that he wished to file an application t o have the action struck out on the ground that it was an abuse of the process of the court.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 Ms. Chan who then appeared for the Plaintiff did not object to the Order 34 hearing being adjourned in order to allow the Defendants to file this application. \par \par Mr. Singh\rquote s submissions}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 were quite straightforward.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 He pointed out that the Plaintiff had been an unestablished government employee.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 He had no individual contract of employment with the government but the terms and conditions of employment were those set out in the JIC Agreement.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 The Agreement contained a disciplinary procedure (Section X) which the Plaintiff alleged had not been followed with the result that his dismissal was wrongful.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 Mr. Singh suggested that the Plaintiff\rquote s complaint was clearly in public law and therefore, relying on }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 O \rquote Reilly v. Mackman}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 [1983] 2 AC 237, followed in Fiji inter alia in }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 Ram Prasad v. Attorney-General}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 (FCA Reps 99/343) should have been brought by way of an application for judicial review.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 Since such an application wou ld have to have been brought within 3 months of the matters complained of the present action was a blatant attempt to evade the restrictions imposed by Order 53 r 4. \par \par While Mr. Singh\rquote s submissions undoubtedly represent the general position there are a few occasions on which the general rule does not apply. \par \par As may be gathered from the wording of O 53 r 4 the main purpose of requiring judicial review proceedings to be brought as soon as possible is to avoid prejudice to the rights of a person and to avoid detriment to good administration.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 As pointed out however by the House of Lords in }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 Roy v. Kensington and Chelsea FPC}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 [1992] 1 AC 624 the rule in }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 O\rquote Reilly v. Mackman}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 is subject to exceptions one of which is where the Plaintiff merely seeks to assert a particular private law right arising in a public law context.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par \par In this case the Plaintiff is not seeking reinstatement.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 If successful the quantum of damages which he stands to recover will have to be considered in the light of the wording of clauses}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 37 (b)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 and 44 (a) of the JIC Agreement.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 Nobody\rquote s rights}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 will be prejudiced.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 There will be no detriment to good administration.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 In these circumstances I am of the view that the restrictions imposed by Order 53 rule 4 have no application and that it would be wrong to shut the Plaintiff out at this stage.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 In the words of Lord Lowry in }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 Roy}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3540128 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 at page 655: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \'93 It seems to me that unless the procedure adopted by the moving party is ill suited to dispose of the question at issue there is much to be said in favour of th e proposition that a court having jurisdiction ought to let the case be heard rather than entertain a debate concerning the form of proceedings\'94. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par The application fails and is dismissed. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 M.D. Scott \par Judge \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3540128 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7163793\charrsid3540128 \par 8 March 2002 \par }}