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HBC}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718\charrsid6045718 0}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 521 OF 2003 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 BETWEEN: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 DR. MAHENDRA KUMAR}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718\charrsid6045718 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 f/n Bans Karan \par Plaintiff \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 AND: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 DR. THAN AUNG \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Defendant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718\charrsid6045718 Counsel: }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Ms Bindula Devi \endash for the Plaintiff \par Mr. Semi Leweniqila - for the Defendant \par \par Date of Hearing:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718\charrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 29th June, 2004 \par Date of Judgment:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718\charrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 2nd July, 2004 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Introduction \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 \par The defendant makes his application by way of summons dated the 12th of March, 2004 pursuant to Order 13 Rule 10 of the High Court Rules supported by an affidavit from the defendant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 The defendant applies to have a default judgment entered against him on the 24th of February set aside. \par \par The proceedings have a common cause with Civil Action 483 of 2003.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 They relate to the same alleged libel.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 The proceedings were commenced in almost an identical fashion.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Default judgment was obtained in almost an identical fashion but for the appropriate dates of that judgment. \par \par The same reasoning applied to Civil Action 483 of 2003 applies to my decision in this case and is with appropriate amendment as to dates adopted in full. \par \par The simple fact of the matter is that the plaintiff should have brought this action not by endorsement on the writ but by a full Statement of Claim offering the particulars required in Order 82.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 While he may have obtained his default judgment in a technically correct manner it is not just that he did so.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 The plaintiff first needed to particularly identify the libels complained of contained within a series of memoranda.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Further the plaintiff needed to allege what words or matters complained of were used in a defamatory sense other than their ordinary meaning.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 As in 483 of 2003 I adopt the reasoning contained in the New Zealand High Court decision of }{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Russell v Cox}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 [1983] NZLR 654 at 659.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 It was in that case that the learned Justice Hardieboys noted that the exercise of the discretion for the court on these applications is what is just in all circumstances.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 In my opinion the learned justice correctly identified three non- exclusive factors to be considered. \par \par Firstly, whether delay has been reasonably explained.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 I find that it has.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Secondly whether a substantial ground of defence has been disclosed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Again while generally pleaded the defence is clearly an available one particularly against the general endorsement contained on this writ.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Thirdly whether the plaintiff will suffer irreparable injury if the judgment is set aside.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 I find as I did in 483 of 2003 that there will be no prejudice of the plaintiff in properly bringing its claim for the determination of the Court. \par \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Conclusion \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Accordingly I grant the defendant\rquote s application the judgment as against this defendant by default on the 24th of February 2004 is set aside.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 I order the plaintiff to file and serve a Statement of Claim on his writ by the 31st of July, 2004.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 The defendant is thereafter to have 14 days to reply to that claim.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6045718 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Costs are reserved for the cause. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 Gerard Winter \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6045718 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6030415\charrsid6045718 \par At Suva \par 2nd July, 2004 \par }}