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{\revtim\yr2004\mo8\dy31\hr8\min31}{\version4}{\edmins2}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords620}{\nofchars3536}{\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws4148}{\vern16389}}
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\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 \fs20\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 IN THE}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542\charrsid11142542  }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542\charrsid11142542 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 (AT SUVA)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 CIVIL ACTION NO. HBC 492 OF 1998S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 Between:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 NBF ASSET MANAGEMENT BANK
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 Plaintiff
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 DINESH CHANDRA
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 (f/n Ram Narayan)
\par Defendant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
\par T. Seeto}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 for the Plaintiff
\par Ms. P. Madanavosa for the Defendant
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 DECISION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
\par This is the Defendant\rquote s application filed on 19 September 2001 to set aside Judgment in default of Defence entered against him on 26 April 2000.
\par 
\par The following affidavits were filed:
\par 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 i)\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 Defendant, in support 19 September 2001;
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 ii)\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 Sera Bulavakarua, in answer, 25 January 2002;
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 iii)\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 Defendant, in reply 26 February 2002;
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 iv)\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 Sera Bulavakarua, in reply 25 July 2002.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
\par Both Counsel also filed written submissions, Ms. Madanavosa on 6 November 2002 and Mr. Seeto on 29 November 2002.
\par 
\par The Defendant says that he has an acceptable explanation for failing to file his defence, that he has an arguable defence with good prospects of success and that the Plaintiff will not suffer irreparable harm if he is given leave to defend.
\par 
\par The Defendant\rquote s explanation for failing to file a defence is that he was unfamiliar with the requirements of the High Court Rules.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 This explanation is unacceptable.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
As is clear from the papers, the Defendant is a man of some education who has been running his own business, and was buying his house with a mortgage to the Plaintiff.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 He has used solicitors before.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
Ignorance of the law is generally an unacceptable excuse for breaching it.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 I reject the Defendant\rquote s explanation.
\par 
\par As will be seen from the Statement of Claim and subsequent pleadings this action involves a money claim by the Plaintiff and a money counterclaim by the Defendant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 It is clear that if the Defendant is given leave to defend the Plaintiff will not suffer irreparable harm.
\par 
\par The next matter is the Defendant\rquote s prospect of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
successfully defending the claim against him and of successfully prosecuting his counterclaim.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 Under an agreement
 reached with the Plaintiff the Defendant was given until 30 November 1997 (a Sunday) to sell the house (Annexure B to the second affidavit).}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 According to the Defendant he sold the house on 27 November but did not advise the Plaintiff of this fact or prod
uce a copy of the sale and purchase agreement until the following Monday, 1 December (see Annexure K and paragraph 28 to the first affidavit and paragraph 12 of the third affidavit).}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 Notwithstanding these facts the Plaintiff exercised its powers as mortgagee and proceeded to sell the house at a lower price than that the Defendant had negotiated.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 The Defendant\rquote 
s principal grievance arises from the difference in the price obtained by the Plaintiff and the price which he himself had negotiated.
\par 
\par Mr. Seeto submitted that the Defendant was guilty of laches, both in applying to set aside the judgment and by failing to attempt to restrain the mortgagee sale.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 He argued that the sale and purchase agreement was unstamped and inadmissible.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 It was not suggested that it was brought to the attention of the Plaintiff within the time frame stipulated in their agreement.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 The Defendant\rquote s record of repayments to the Plaintiff was very poor.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 Mr. Seeto suggested that it would unjust to set the judgment aside when the Defendant had such an unarguable case.
\par 
\par While I accept that the Defendant\rquote s case has a number of weak aspects, some highlighted by Mr. Seeto, I do not hold the view that it is devoid of all prospects of success.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 The sale and purchase agreement appears on the face of it to be in a proper and registrable form and there is provision for late stamping.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
Whether the agreement between the parties required the agreement to be brought to the attention of the Plaintiff not later than 30 November and whether
 the Plaintiff was justified in ignoring it are issues the resolution of which would benefit from further evidence and argument.
\par 
\par On balance, I have concluded that the Defendant should have leave to defend and therefore under the provisions of O 19 r 9 I set the Judgment in default of Defence entered against him aside.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 In all the circumstances however I am satisfied that he should provide security for the Plaintiff\rquote s costs which I fix at $1,000.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 This sum is to be paid by 1 April 2003.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8474199 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid8474199 M.D. Scott
\par Judge
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11142542 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 
\par 11 February}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11142542  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12130398\charrsid11142542 2003.
\par }}