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\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid6972835 AT SUVA \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6972835 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid6972835 CIVIL JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 JUDICIAL REVIEW NO. 0006R OF 2004S \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 BETWEEN:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15865003\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15865003\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 THE STATE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15865003\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15865003\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695 -v-}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15865003\charrsid14167033 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15865003\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 THE MAJOR TENDERS BOARD}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid14167033 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 RESPONDENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 EX-PARTE:}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15865003\charrsid5391695 }{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 FIJI BROADCASTING CORPORATION LIMITED}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid14167033 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 APPLICANT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 COMMUNICATIONS FIJI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695 LIMITED}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid14167033 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid5391695 1ST}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 INTERESTED PARTY \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard\plain \s5\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel4\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 \b\f170\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \f0\ulnone\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE}{\b0\f0\ulnone\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid14167033 \par }\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5391695 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid14167033 \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 MEDIA RE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15865003 LATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid14167033 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 2ND INTERESTED PARTY \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15865003\charrsid5391695 Counsel for the Applicant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 : }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 Ms G. }{ \i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid5391695 Phillips: Munro Leys & Co.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6972835 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid6972835 Counse}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6972835 l for the Respondent }{ \i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6972835\charrsid6972835 J.}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid6972835 J. Udit}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid6972835 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid5391695 Second Interested Party Ms K. Naidu, }{ \i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid5391695 Attorney-General\rquote s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 \par Counsel f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid5391695 or the 1st Interested Party: }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid5391695 H. Lateef: }{ \i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 Lateef & Lateef \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid5391695 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6972835 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid6972835 Date of Ruling: }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid6972835 25 March 2004 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5391695\charrsid9045490 Time of Ruling: }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid9045490 12 Noon \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid14167033 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6972835 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid6972835 EX-TEMPORE RULING \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 \par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 \f170\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 This is an application for leave to review the decision or recommendation made by the Major Tenders Board that resulted in the award of the Hindi language service broadcast, to Communications Fiji Limited, the 1st Interested Party in this proceeding.}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11951773\charrsid8874094 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 It is opposed by the Board as the Respondent, and the 1st Interested Party (Successful Tender) and 2nd Interested Party, (Chief Executive of the Ministry of Information Media Relations and Communication). \par \par The thrust of the Applicant\rquote s argument is that the decision of the Respondent was ultra vires the Supplies and Services Instructions as well as the Government Stores Instructions 1982. Specifically the Applicant argues, the Respondent, by accepting the 1st Interested Party\rquote s tender, did not conform to the specific requireme}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7886338 nts of the tenders documented. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 The requirements were that the tenders should include the following}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 one for an exclusive Fijian language service, one for an exclusive Hindi language service, and a third pack}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14167033 age to include both languages. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 Instead, the Respondent entertained a single tender for the Hindi language service from the 1st Interested Party. \par \par There are additional grounds advanced by the Applicant including the failure by the 1st Interested Party to tender for the provision of service for the period 2004 \endash 2006 and such service to commence from 1 January 2004, as specifically required under the tender conditions and the alleged failure of the 1st Interested Party to confirm the requirement of national coverage rather than to the Hindi speaking market only. \par \par Opposing leave, the Respondent argues that the only action that is susceptible for review is that of the Ministry of Information which at the end makes the final decision on whether }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605 a tender is successful or not. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 The Respondent\rquote s }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605 role is merely an advisory one.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 According to the affidavit of its Chairman, Mr Shiri Chand, its major function is to shift through tender documents, and then advise the responsible Ministry }{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 \'93on the respective bids in line with the Financial Act, Regulations and Instructions.\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 Under the circumstances, the Respondent claims, it has been wrongly joint as a party in the proceeding. \par \par Counsel for the successful tender, Communications Fiji Limited, the 1st Interested Party, main argument in opposing leave is the lac}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605 k of merit in the application. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 Counsel\rquote s view, the 1st Interested Party had fully complied w}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605 ith the tender specifications. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 The Company, in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations had sought and obtained clarifications, which enabled it to put forward a tender that catered exclusively f}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605 or the Hindi speaking service. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 There cannot be any arguments therefore, that the 1st Interested Party had not conformed }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605\charrsid8874094 to}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 the tender requirements. \par \par Secondly, Counsel argued that Applicant had sufficient time from the date the award of the tender was announced, to take judicial review. Yet it was not until 24 February 2004 when it was finally moved to act and file}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605 d the review. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 In the meantime, the 1st Interested Party had gone ahead and expended considerable money and resources in preparation for opening of its service scheduled for 1 April 2004}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605 . }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 In this regard Counsel referred the Court to the FCA judgment of }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid2239605 Harikisun Ltd. v. Dip Singh & Ors}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 . (FCA No. 19/1975) which raised, as an important factor in the exercise of a Court\rquote s discretion, whether to grant leave or not, the question of delay as well as the r}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2239605 easons for bringing the action.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 Leave under the circumstances, could only be granted if the grounds are not frivolous, vexatious }{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 \'93or hopeless in the sense of being patently devoid of merit\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 see: }{ \b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid10572973 National Farmers Union v. Sugar Industry Tribunal & Ors}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 . (FCA No. 8/1990). \par \par It is patently obvious to this Court that grievance of the Applicant stems from what it considers are very clear and unambiguous wor}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11951773 dings of the tender documents. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 Paragraph 3 headed }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 \'93General Information\'94}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 of the }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 \'93Guidelines for the Preparation of Public Service Broadcast Tender\'94}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 states: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10572973 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 \'93 Suppliers are invited to tender for the provision of PSB programmes in Fijian and Hindi as a package.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid10572973 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid10572973 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10572973 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 Suppliers are also required to tender for PSB programmes in each of the two vernacular languages Fijian and Hindi separately.\'94 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid10572973 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 The issue of whether these requirements should be read conjunctively or are separate of one another, }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 \'93 stand alone\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 as Counsel for the 1st Interested Party aptly puts it, goes to the very heart of whether this Court should grant the application, notwithstanding the submission by}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11951773 the Respondent\rquote s counsel. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 It goes to the issue of procedural irregularity of the a}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11951773 ction taken by the Respondent. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 In my view, the Applicant has an arguable case. \par \par The submission that the Respondent is not the appropriate party to this proceeding depends in the end on the argument, whether the Major Tenders Board\rquote s so-called recommendation to the Ministry of In formation constitutes a decision and whether such a decision possesses an air of finality. \par \par These matters are appropriately left to the substantive review of this application. \par \par In the end, having had the benefit of the affidavit evidence as well as submissions by Counsel, leave is hereby granted to the Applicant. There will be a Stay until this Court decides on the Substantive Application. \par \par Costs in the course. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6972835 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 F. Jitoko \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 JUDGE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid10572973 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6972835 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid6972835 At Suva \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8874094 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid8874094 25 March 2004}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16478213\charrsid10572973 \par }}