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{\*\rsidtbl \rsid4208302\rsid6189289\rsid8026065\rsid10709414}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6764;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author Roselyn}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2005\mo11\dy29\hr11\min51}{\revtim\yr2005\mo11\dy29\hr11\min51}
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\f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CIVIL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6189289 ACTION NO. HBC00}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 60R}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6189289 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 2002S
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 BETWEEN:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 SUNILA WATI
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 PLAINTIFF
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 AND:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 SHELL FIJI LIMITED
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 DEFENDANT
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par COUNSEL FOR THE PLAINTIFF:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  MRS SERUVATU}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 : O\rquote DRISCOLL & SERUVATU
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302\charrsid4208302 COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENDANT: }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 MS. SAUMATUA: Q.B. BALE & ASSOCIATES
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302\charrsid4208302 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 DATE OF RULING: 3 SEPTEMBER 2004
\par TIME OF RULING: 10.30 A.M.
\par 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 EX}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302\charrsid4208302  }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 TEMPORE RULING
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par This is the Defendant\rquote s application to dismiss the action pursuant to O.25 r 1(4) and O.18 r.18(1)(c) of the High Court Rules, and as well as under the Court\rquote s inherent jurisdiction.
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 \f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
The Plaintiff had by Writ filed on 11 February 2002 sought damages from the Defendant for injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 Default judgment has been entered by the Plaintiff on 26 April 2002, which the Defendant subsequently set aside on 29 August, 2002.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 In ordering the setting aside, this Court directed that the defence be filed within 14 days. The defence was not filed until 27 September, 2002, after the consent of the Plaintiff\rquote 
s counsel had been obtained on 20 September allowing a further 7 days.
\par 
\par No subsequent action was taken by the Plaintiff after the filing of the defence until the Defendant\rquote s summons on 8 June 2004 to dismiss the action.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 There had been some 21 months since the pleadings were closed.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 

\par 
\par The grounds upon which the Defendant base its arguments are fully set out in its affidavit in support of the Summons.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
The first is under O.25.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
This requires the Plaintiff to take out a summons for directions, within one (1) month after the pleadings are closed and }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \'93returnable in not less than 14 days.\'94}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
Failure to do so within the required time can result in the Defendant either issuing the summons itself or, as in this instance, apply to dismiss the action for want of prosecution (O.25 r.4).
\par 
\par The main principles guiding the court in its decision are set out in }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 Allen v. Sir Alfred Mc Alpine & Sons Ltd.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  [1968] 2 QB 229; (}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 1968}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302 )}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302  1 All ER 545.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 Acknowledging that decisions are based on particular facts of the case, the Court observed that generally an action may be 
dismissed for want of prosecution if}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\s15 \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (a)\tab}}\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 a party has been guilty of intentional and contumelious default, and
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\s15 \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (b)\tab}}\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 where there has been an inordinate and inexcusable delay in the prosecution of the action.

\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par Intentional and contumelious default refers to where there has been a deliberate default in compliance with the Court order, or, as suggested in }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 Wellersteiner v. Moir}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302 (}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 1974}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302 )}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302  1 WLR 991, there is perhaps conduct amounting to an abuse of the process of the court.
\par 
\par Inordinate and in excusable delay refer to the de
lay on the part of the Plaintiff and/or his counsel to prosecute the action as required by the rules of the court and as a result is likely to cause serious prejudice to the Defendant or at any rate would prevent a fair trial.
\par 
\par On the facts before me, it is clear that there is no evidence that the Plaintiff is guilty of intentional and contumelious default.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
No court order is required to be complied with, except that the High Court Rules have not been followed.
\par 
\par On the other hand, the delay of some 21 months to prosecute the action can amount to the second ground for dismissing the action.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
The Court must however be satisfied that the delay was }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \'93inordinate\'94}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302  and }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \'93inexcusable.\'94}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \'93Inordinate\'94}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302  according to }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \'93the Supreme Court Practice\'94}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
 (White Book) 1985 Ed, at para 25/1/6:
\par 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \'93
means materially longer than the time usually regarded by the profession and courts as an acceptable period.\'94}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par Similarly }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \'93inexcusable\'94}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302  according to the White Book}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302 :}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 \'93[This] ought to be looked at primarily from the Defendant\rquote 
s point of view or, at least, objectively; some reasonable allowance, for illness and accidents may, be made.}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
But the best excuse is the agreement of the Defendant or the difficulties created by him.\'94
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par In my view, the Plaintiff\rquote s delay of 21 months to take out a summons for direction was both inordinate and inexcusable.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
While the explanation by the Plaintiff that change of counsel may have contributed to this, the fact remains, that there were substantial gaps of time in between, in which no efforts at all were being made towards the prosecution of the case.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
There can be no excuse, notwithstanding the difficulties of finding suitable counsel, not to move the case forward for 21 months after the defence had been filed and served on the Plaintiff.
\par 
\par The Court is equally mindful of the view it had expressed in its decision to set aside the default judgment of 26 April, 2002 in that the Plaintiff\rquote s action against the Defendant may possibly be misconceived.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4208302  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 In the end, this Court finds that there is merit in the Defendant\rquote s summons.
\par 
\par The Plaintiff\rquote s action is hereby dismissed.
\par 
\par No order as to costs.
\par 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 F. Jitoko
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 JUDGE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4208302 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8026065\charrsid4208302 
\par At Suva
\par 3 September 2004
\par }}