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\f174\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CIVIL APPEAL
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\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 C/A NO. HBA}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171\charrsid11298171 0
}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 017J OF 2002S
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\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 SHARMA RENTAL CARS}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171\charrsid11298171 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 of Rewa Street, Suva.
\par APPELLANT
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\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 ANARE SOVU}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171\charrsid11298171 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 of Narere Primary}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171\charrsid11298171  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 School, Delainavesi.
\par RESPONDENT
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par Counsel for t}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171 he Appellant}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 In Person
\par Counsel for the Respondent:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 In Person
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171\charrsid11298171 
\par Date of Judgment}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171\charrsid11298171  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 12 February 2004
\par Time of Judgment:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171\charrsid11298171  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 9.30 a.m.
\par 
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\par This is an appeal from the decision of the Magistrate Court in dismissing an appeal from the Small Claims Tribunal.
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par The brief outline of the facts are as follows.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
The Respondent hired a car from the Appellant on 2 November 2001 in Suva to take his family to Nadi.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 He paid $270.00 for the 3}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 day hire of the vehicle and a deposit of $500.00 to cover contingencies, including damages.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 The Respondent claimed that when he took delivery of the car, there was already a small crack on the windscreen.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 He subsequently noted this defect on his copy of the rental agreement, upon returning the car to the Company.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 The Appellant disputed the prior existence of the cracked windscreen and subsequently withheld $350.00 from the Respondent
\rquote s deposit, to cover the cost of a new windscreen and labour.
\par 
\par In the Court of the Small Claims, the Tribunal found for the Respondent and ordered that the Appellant repay the $350.00 withheld, to the Respondent through the Registry of the Tribunal, within 14 days.
\par 
\par On 18 January 2002 the Appellant filed its appeal on the grounds that:
\par 
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\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 (a)\tab the proceedings were conducted by the Referee in a manner which was unfair to the Appellant and prejudiciary (sic: prejudicially) affected the result of the proceedings,
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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 the Tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction,
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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
the Tribunal Referee erred in law and in fact not considering rental agreement No. 9393 as not valid agreement.}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171 '}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 \f174\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
In dismissing the appeal, the learned M
agistrate found that the two essential ingredients namely, unfairness and exceeding of jurisdiction by the Tribunal, under section 33(1) of the Small Claims Tribunal Decree 1991, and upon which the appeals were based, did not have any merit or at any rate
, had not been raised by the Appellant.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 Unfortunately, the Court did not fully explain how it arrived at such a decision.
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\par The Appellant subsequently appealed the learned Magistrate\rquote s decision setting down the grounds as follows}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par 
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That the exhibit handed to the Referee of the Small Claim Tribunal was not fully attached in the Court Record compiled for His Worship The Resident Magistrate.
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That His Worship erred in law and in fact by not considering the missing page No. 2 of the Rental Agreement A 9393 that was tendered by stating that the same is not attached to the Court Record.
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That His Worship erred in law and in fact in adopting the ruling of the Referee and entering the judgment against the Appellant/Respondent.}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171 '}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
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\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 COURT\rquote S CONSIDERATION
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par The right of appeal from the Small Claims Tribunal was extensively canvassed by Fatiaki J (as he then was) in }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 Sheet Metal and Plumbing (Fiji) Ltd.}{
\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid10889465  v. }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 Uday Narayan Deo}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
 (1999) Vol. 45 FLR 80.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 The Court concluded,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 after having examined the provisions of the Small Claims 
Tribunal Decree 1991, that the parties, upon submitting themselves to the jurisdiction of the Tribunal, possessed a restricted or limited right of appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 These were, where the Tribunal had exceeded its jurisdiction or where the proceedings were conducted unfairly and which would have prejudiced the Appellant.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 Section 33(1) of the Decree is categorical.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 It states:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10889465 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171 '}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 (1)\tab 
Any party to proceedings before a Tribunal may appeal against an order made by the Tribunal under section 15(6) or section 31(2) on the grounds that:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid4326036 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (a)\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li2160\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls3\pnrnot0\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls3\adjustright\rin0\lin2160\itap0\pararsid4326036 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
the proceedings were conducted by the Referee in a manner which was unfair to the Appellant and prejudicially}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
affected the result of the proceedings; or
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10889465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid10889465 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (b)\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li2160\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls3\pnrnot0\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang 
{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls3\adjustright\rin0\lin2160\itap0\pararsid4326036 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 the Tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction.}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171 '}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid10889465 
\par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 \f174\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
Although the Appellant had included the issue of jurisdiction as a ground for appeal in the Magistrate\rquote s Court, it does not appear from the record that he had in fact raised it at all.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 In any case, the grounds for his appeal to this Court does not now include the issue of jurisdiction, the second limb of section 33(1) of the Decree.
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par The sole ground of appeal is that the Referee had conducted the proceedings in a manner which was unfair to the Appellant and as a result it adversely affected the outcome.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 The learned Magistrate had found no basis to support the Appellant\rquote s argument on this issue.
\par 
\par In its submission to this Court, the Appellant said that the learned Magistrate had failed to take into consideration the fact that the Referee had not considered page 2 of the all important Rental Agreement }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 A 9393}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 , which would have explained the liability of the car hirer for damages.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 The missing page 2, which in fact is the reverse side of the single sheet comprising the Agreement, was subsequently produced into Court and contained in the Appellant\rquote 
s submission.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 I ruled it inadmissible.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
The fact that the Appellant had only tendered a photocopy of page one/front page of the Agreement before the Referee, omitting to include page 2 in the process, cannot possibly be relied upon by the Appellant as argument in suppo
rt of unfair behaviour on the part of the Referee.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
The Tribunal is only expected and entitled to rely on the evidence, including documents, that are before it.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
That the Appellant may have failed to produce documents necessary to support its arguments, is not the fault of the Tribunal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
Nor is it ground for appeal.
\par 
\par The appeal is dismissed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 The order of the Tribunal as upheld by the learned Magistrate is confirmed.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 The Appellant is ordered to pay $350.00 plus $50.00 costs to the Respondent.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11298171  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 The payments to be made to the Registry of the Small Claims Tribunal within 14 days.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10889465 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid10889465 F. Jitoko
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 JUDGE}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11298171 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10889465\charrsid11298171 
\par At Suva
\par 12 February 2004
\par }}