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{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI (AT SUVA)}{\author Amelia Rasovo}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2004\mo8\dy30\hr14\min39}{\revtim\yr2004\mo8\dy31\hr10\min21}{\version3}{\edmins3}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords893}{\nofchars5094}{\*\company Judicial Department}
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\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 \fs20\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894\charrsid10643894 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 (AT SUVA)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 CIVIL ACTION NO. HBC 506 OF 2000S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 Between:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 LICE ELENIVULA SAUMI
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 (as administratrix}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 of the estate
\par of Nacanieli Saumi deceased)
\par Plaintiff
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 AIR FIJI LIMITED
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 Defendant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
\par D. Sharma for the Plaintiff
\par R. Smith for the Defendant
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 DECISION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
\par On 24 July 1999 Nacanieli Saumi was a passenger on Air Fiji Flight PC 121 which crashed with the loss of all life aboard.
\par 
\par On 8 November 2000 after the publication of an official report into the accident the Plaintiff commenced proceedings.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
The Statement of Claim asserts that the accident occurred as a result of the negligence of the Defendant, their servants or agents.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 Particular of the alleged negligence are set out in 11 sub-paragraphs the last of which (sub paragraph 12(j)) reads:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 \'93
the Plaintiff will further rely on the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act and the regulations made thereunder.\'94
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
\par In a Statement of Defence 
also filed in November 2000 the Defendant denies negligence and importantly pleads that any claim for damages by the Plaintiff has to be brought pursuant to the Carriage By Air Act (Application of Provisions) Overseas Territories Order 1967 (the Order 
\endash  see Cap 174 - the Civil Aviation Act \endash  Subsidiary Legislation S-190).
\par 
\par In January 2001 the usual orders were made on the summons for directions.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 In April 2001
 the Plaintiff issued a pre-trial conference notice under Order 34 rule 2.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
In July 2001 the Plaintiff issued a summons seeking leave to amend the Statement of Claim.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
The amendment which was sought was entitled:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 \'93Elaboration of the claim under the Civil
 Aviation Act (as set out in clause 12(j))\'94
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
\par and was intended to present the Plaintiff\rquote s claim in such a way that it could be brought within the provisions of Article 25 of the Order.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 Article 25 exceptionally, in cases of recklessness, enables awards of damages to exceed the limit imposed by Article 22.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 This Article which is subject to Section 2 of the Carriage by Air (Fiji Currency Equivalents) Order 1969 \endash  LN 105/69 \endash 
 Cap 174 Subs S-205 limits awards to only F$48,369.00.
\par 
\par The Plaintiff\rquote s summons was met by a cross-summons dated 25 February 2002 seeking to strike out the Statement of Claim as disclosing no reasonable cause of action (RHC O18 r 18(a)).
\par 
\par After discussion with Counsel it was agreed that the second summons should logically be dealt with first.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
It will be however noted the very helpful written submissions filed by Counsel (2 November 2001 and 8 March 2002 by Mr. Sharma, 25 February 2002 by Mr. Smith) are relevant to both applications.
\par 
\par Put shortly Mr. Smith\rquote s submission is that the Plaintiff\rquote s
 claim which as a matter of fact makes no mention of the Order is specifically excluded by Article 3 of the Order since it is essentially a common law claim in negligence (not including an allegation of recklessness) albeit brought pursuant to the Compens
ation to Relatives Act (Cap. 29) and the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Death and Interest) Act (Cap. 27).
\par 
\par In answer, Mr. Sharma accepted the effect of Article 3 of the Order.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
He also accepted that the recklessness with knowledge required by Article 25 had not been pleaded and that mere negligence could not amount to recklessness with knowledge.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 He however argued that the facts already pleaded as negligence would, if proved, be capable in the overall context of being found to amount to recklessness as required by the Article.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 He pointed to the words \'93an action\'94 in Article 29 and submitted out that it could not be argued that \'93an action\'94
 had not in fact been commenced within the stipulated period.
\par 
\par Given the date of the accident, the limitation per
iod imposed by Article 29 and the provisions of Article 3 the effect of allowing this application would be wholly to shut out the Plaintiff from bringing any claim at all against the Defendant, even a claim limited to $48,000.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 Such a dramatic consequence to a deceased\rquote s estate would, I am satisfied, need pressing justification.
\par 
\par The principal purpose of imposing limitation periods within which actions must be brought is to prevent delay being used by one party to gain an unfair advantage over the other.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 
In the present case a claim for damages arising out of the accident was in fact filed promptly and it was not suggested by Mr. Smith that the Defendants have in any way been surprised or embarrassed by the claim.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 Although the Order is not mentioned
 in the claim it seems to me that the effect of Article 3 being to exclude any other form of action the claim actually brought by the Plaintiff must be seen as falling within the Order.
\par 
\par It would have been better if the draftsman of the Statement of Claim had not overlooked the Order but the ends of justice are seldom met by merely placing reliance on unmeritorious technicalities.
\par 
\par In my view this Action should be regarded as an action brought pursuant to the Order.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 Whether in fact the Plaintiff will be 
able to satisfy the stringent test imposed by Article 25 in another matter.
\par 
\par At the hearing of this application I indicated that I would refuse it.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 I did so for the reasons now given.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 Before however leaving this application I feel it appropriate to make one or two further observations.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 Both the Order and the Fiji Currency Equivalents Order date from the 1960\rquote s.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 They are clearly out of date and need to be replaced.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 A currency unit named a franc and consisting of 65}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 50 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols"
 \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894  milligrams of gold of millesimal fineness 900 (Article 22 (5)) no longer exists.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 875,000 of such francs would now be worth far more than F$48,000 which in turn is now worth far less than it was in 1969.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 To limit the unsuspecting domestic airline t
ravelling public to a maximum claim of F$48,000 brought within 2 years for death arising from an accident seems to me difficult to reconcile with the rights which are supposed to be protected by the Fair Trading Decree 1992.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 In my view this is an area of 
the law which could with advantage be referred to the Law Reform Commission for their consideration.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 M.D. Scott
\par Judge
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10643894 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10643894 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13516499\charrsid10643894 15 March 2002
\par }}