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HBC}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 0} {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 053R OF 2002B \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 BETWEEN:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 REJIELI}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 }{ \b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 DIOGE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 of Volaca, Dreketi,}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Domestic Duties. \par PLAINTIFF \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 AND:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 MUNIAN CHETTY}{ \b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 f/n Nagan of}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Suva, Driver. \par 1ST DEFENDANT \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 AND:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 HASMUKLAL PATEL}{ \b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 f/n Ram Bhai}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Patel,}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 MADHUKANTA PATEL}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 f/n Dalpabhai R. Patel,}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 RAJNIKANT PATEL \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 f/n Hasmukhlal Patel all of 26 Bau Street}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Suva. \par 2ND DEFENDANT \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par Counsel for the Plaintiff:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 D. Sharma}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 R. Pate}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 l & Co.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par Counsel for the 1st and}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 2nd Defendants: R. Naidu: Jamnadas & Assoc.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 Date of Ruling}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 5 April, 2004}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par Time of Ruling:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 9.30 a.m. \par \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 RULING}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par On 23 March, 2004 this Court dismissed the Defendants\rquote application to set aside a default judgment, with reasons to be given later.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 These I now give. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard\plain \s4\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 \b\f171\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 BACKGROUND}{\f0\ulnone\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par On 10 May 2001 the Plaintiff was run down along the Labasa \endash Nabouwalu road by the first Defendant driving a vehicle registered No. DC 652 owned by the second Defendant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The first Defendant is in the employment of the second Defendant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Plaintiff sustained serious injuries resulting in her hospitalisation at the Labasa hospital until 5 June 2001 when she was discharged.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The first Defendant was subsequently convicted at the Labasa Magistrates\rquote Court for dangerous driving, fined $250.00 and debited 2 demerit points. \par \par On 30 July 2002 the Plaintiff filed her Writ for damages against the 1st and 2nd Defendants.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Affidavits of service on the 1st and 2nd Defendants were filed on the 1st and 23rd October respectively, and there being no acknowledgement of service filed by the Defendants, default judgm ents were entered against them. Notice of assessment of damages were served on the Defendants and the hearing set down for 28 November 2002.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 On}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 25th November, the Defendants filed notice of appointment of their solicitors together with Summons for stay.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Co unsel for the Defendants, on 28th November 2002 submitted in the summons for the assessment of damages, that the Plaintiff should submit herself to a medical examination before a doctor of the Defendants\rquote choice.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 This is because, according to Counsel, the requirements of the Motor Insurance (Third Party) Act (section 18) compels the Plaintiff to do so.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The clear inference to the Court of the application coupled with the oral submission of Counsel, was that the payment of damages would be made by the insurance company for the Defendants.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Court thereupon ordered the assessment of damages stayed pending the medical examination of the Plaintiff by the Defendants\rquote doctor.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Costs of $100 was awarded against the Defendants.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The matter was adjourned to 22 January 2003 which did not occur because of Hurricane }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 '}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Amy.}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 When the matter was finally called on 19th February 2003, Counsel for the Defendants explained that the examination of the Plaintiff was still to be done.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 In the meantime, Counsel added, a settlement proposal by the Plaintiff is being considered by the Defendants.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Court adjourned it to 24 April 2003 for hearing.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Court on 22 April 2003, was informed by Counsel for the Defendants that the matter was likely to be settled. The case was again adjourned to 29 May 2003 for hearing of assessment.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Yet again when the case was called on the day, the Defendants asked for further adjournment to allow insurance company\rquote s response to medical report.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Court adjourned the hearing to 25th June 2003 and payment of $450.00 costs to the Plaintiff.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 On 25th June, the Court heard that the Defendants will contest the quantum of damages claimed by the Plaintiff and the hearing w as adjourned to 27 June 2003.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Court did not proceed to hear the assessment on 27th June, and the hearing adjourned further to 25 September, 2003. \par \par On 19th September 2003, the Defendants filed their Summons to set aside the default judgment entered against them in October 2002.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The grounds advanced by the Defendants were that the judgment had been entered irregularly, that there was contributory negligence by the Plaintiff, and at any rate the Defendants have defence on merit.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Plaintiff opposed the Summons in the affidavit filed on 22 September.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 By leave of Court on 24 September the Plaintiff filed her own affidavit on 8 October, 2003.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 On 30th October, 2003 leave was granted to the Defendants to file their affidavits in response.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 In addition, the Court ordered submissions to be filed and adjourned it to 21 November 2003 for hearing of Defendant\rquote s Motion to set aside.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Defendant\rquote s filed their submission late and as a result the Plaintiff was not able to comply with the order that she filed her submission before the hearing of 21 November, 2003.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 As a result the Plaintiff was granted further time (21 days) to file her submission with liberty to the Defendants to respond if necessary, 7 days thereafter.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Owing to the very slow progress in the proceedings, the Court ordered that the hearing be transferred to Suva on 18 February 2004.} {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 There were no appearance by both Counsel when the case was called in Suva on 18th February 2004.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 It was adjourned to 8 March and the Court directed that Counsel be informed of the new date.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 On 9th March, the Defendant asked and was given a further 7 days to file submission s, and the Court adjourned the hearing to 23 March 2004.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Defendants failed to file any submission on the due date.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Court nevertheless proceeded to hear their application to set aside.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard\plain \s4\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 \b\f171\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 COURT\rquote S CONSIDERATION}{\f0\ulnone\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par The principles that guide the Court in considering whether to set aside a default judgment or not and which forms the basis of the Defendants\rquote arguments are set out in the leading authority of }{ \fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Evans v. Bartlam}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 [1937] 12 All ER 646.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 These are that there must be adequate reasons given why the judg ment was allowed to be entered by default, that the application to set aside must be made promptly and without delay, and there be an affidavit of merit of the defence. \par \par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta .}} \aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Are there Adequate Reasons for Judgment to be Allowed to}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard\plain \s3\ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1981935 \b\f171\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Be Entered by Default \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par There does not appear to be any to convince this Court.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 In the first instance, the Defendants had failed to give any notice of intention to defend as required under Order 13 of the Rules, even although they had been served and in turn acknowledged the service of the Writ.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 All the Defendants could offer in their submission was that the delay was due to the non}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 availability of their own investigation\rquote s report.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 This cannot be accepted by the Court as an adequate reason for the delay.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 After all there are strict requirements as to time for filing of documents under the High Court Rules. \par \par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta .}} \aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Whether the Application to Set Aside Was Made Promptly}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par The Application to set aside is made 12 months after the Writ had been served on the Defendants.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 While there have been instances where the Court had ruled in favour of applications even after lapses of period longer than 12 months, the Court\rquote s exercise of its discretion is in the end, guided by the circumstances of a particular case. \par \par It is quite clear from the fact of this case that the Defendants have had more than enough opportunities presented to them to make their applications. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Instead they had, in this Court\rquote s view, led the Plaintiff and her Counsel all along to believe that they were only contesting the quantum of damages.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The Court itself had been given the impression that the Defendants\rquote Counsel\rquote s requests for adjournments since 28 November 2002 were being done in aid of facilitating the medical examination of the Plaintiff by the Defendants\rquote doctor, towards a possible settlement of the claim.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Other evidence, including exchange of correspondence between the parties, also lend support to this view. \par \par The Defendants argue, as one of the grounds for their application, that the Writ was served by registered post and as a result, the judgment entered was irregular.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 However, as Counsel for the Plaintiff correctly argues, service of a Writ is permissible under Order 10 of the Rules.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 In any event, even if the Defendants were to prove some irregularity in the service of the Writ, they would, by their acts of requesting for medical reports of the Plaintiff and also demanding for her to undergo medical examination by their own doctor, be deemed to have taken fresh steps under Order 2 rule 2 so as to deny them of such relief.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 This ground also fails. \par \par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta .}} \aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Are There Merits in the Defence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par All that the Defendants can advance is the argument of contributory negligence on the part of the Plaintiff.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Yet, as Counsel for the Plaintiff points out, the records in the Magistrate\rquote s Court bears clear and uncontested evidence that the accident was due solely to the negligence of the 1st Defendant, the employee of the second Defendants.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 It could very well be that the Defendants are relying on the report of their so}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 called investigator.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Such a report, the details of which has not been made known to this Court, would not in the my view, refute the evidence as contained in the records.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 There is no trialable case of contributory negligence in here.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The end result is that the Defendants are unable to convince this Court that there are merits in the proposed defence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 This ground must also fail. \par \par {\pntext\pard\plain\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta .}} \aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Application to Set Aside}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par The Defendants had filed their application to set aside under Order 19 of the High Court Rules. Quite clearly, as Counsel for the Plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 submits, the application should have been made under Order 13.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Order 19 is available only where, after notice of intention is filed, no statement of defence had followed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 In situations where as in this case, the Defendants had failed to file in the first instance, notice of intention to defend, then Order 13 procedure is the correct process.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 In the Court\rquote s view, the mistake is fundamental, which cannot be rectified simply by the}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 use of the Court\rquote s discretion.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par \par }\pard\plain \s4\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 \b\f171\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Costs \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par Counsel for the Plaintiff submits that the Court awards costs on an indemnity basis.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 In support he argues that the application has no merit whatsoever and amounts to no more than gross abuse of the Court\rquote s process. \par \par There is every indication that the Defendants\rquote since the Assessment of Damages came befor e the Court on 28 November 2002, had done all they could to delay the hearing, or at any rate, of making the Plaintiff believe all along that the only outstanding issue was the quantum of damages.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Counsel in the first instance, had indicated that the parties were amenable to settlement.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Later the issue of medical report was raised together with the demand by Counsel for the Defendants for the Plaintiff to undergo medical examination by their own doctor in Suva.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 There followed adjournments by the Defendants\rquote Counsel, for reasons principally of non}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 availability of the Plaintiff\rquote s medical report.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The inordinate delays resulted in the Court finally ordering that the hearing of the Defendants\rquote Summons be brought across to Suva.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 Meanwhile, the Plaintiff, a 53 year old woman continues to wait for a hearing date.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 There does not seem to be any doubt that the actions of the Defendants amount to what appears to be a deliberate attempt to prolong and retard any progress towards the assessment of damages.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 While the Court generally is reluctant, except in exceptional cases, to award costs on an indemnity basis, in this instance, indemnity is more than justified. \par \par The application is dismissed. \par \par There will be costs of $1500.00 awarded on an indemnity basis.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1981935 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 The costs to be paid within 14 days. \par \par The assessment of damages is to be adjourned before the Labasa Deputy Registrar to fix an early date for hearing. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 F. Jitoko \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 JUDGE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1981935 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10433739\charrsid1981935 \par At Suva \par 5 April 2004 \par }}