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HBC}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 00}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 11}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 OF 2003}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 BETWEEN:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 NAOMI NAISORO}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 PLAINTIFF}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 AND:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 MANASA SENIKARAWA \par APTAR SINGH \par TOWER INSURANCE \par NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF FIJI}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 DEFENDANTS}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 Mr S. Krishna [}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 o/i}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 Eroni Veretawatini Lawyers] for the Plaintiff \par Mr K. Kumar [}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 o/i }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 A.K. Lawyers] for the Defendant}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 \par \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 Date of Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 03}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 June 2005 \par Date of Ruling}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 : }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 29 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 July 2005}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656\charrsid14509656 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 RULING OF FINNIGAN J \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 \par This is the Defendants\rquote application to strike out the Plaintiff\rquote s action.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 It was originally file d in Suva and early on the Defendants filed the present summons to strike it out on the ground that it was outside its limitation period. \par \par The matter has been kept fully alive by the parties and the Plaintiff was represented on 3 June when I timetabled 21 days for her Counsel to file submissions in reply to those already filed by the Defendants.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 That period expired 24 June 2005 and no submissions have been filed till now. \par \par The Defendants have pleaded, as they must, their limitation defence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 Their point seems unanswerable and the Plaintiff seems to have }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 conceded}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 it.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 Section 4 [1] proviso [i] is authority for holding that this action being a personal injury action for negligence had to be brought within 3 years of the alleged negligence.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 The pleaded negligence occurred on 9 December 1999.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 The action should have been commenced on or before 8 December 2002.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 The writ was issued on 8 January 2003.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12801724\charrsid14509656 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 \par The Plaintiff sues in her own name and does not plead any disability which would extend the period under Section 11 of the Act.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 \par \par Part D of the act makes special provisions for extension of the time limits in actions for personal injuries, but the Plaintiff has taken no advantage of this provisions.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 She could have sought leave before or after filing the action but has not.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 The Defendants\rquote application is unanswerable and it will be granted. \par \par However there is more.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 In support of the application the Defendants filed an affidavit by one Sanil Kumar who claim}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11684444\charrsid14509656 s}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12864924\charrsid14509656 to have been told}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11684444\charrsid14509656 that insurance investigators were told that the Plaintiff was born on 5 November 1998 and thus is a minor.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11684444\charrsid14509656 The deponent also had been told that the investigator had been told that the Plaintiff was a third form student, had been admitted to hospital and had been discharged on 12 January 2000 with such inj uries to her right leg and ankle that she was at that time not able to walk.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11684444\charrsid14509656 The deponent had been told that the investigator had seen the scars which the Plaintiff had on her leg.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11684444\charrsid14509656 The deponent also [quite properly] annexed copies some documents obtained by the investigator which may be more helpful to the Plaintiff than to the Defendant}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 s.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 The Defendants make the point that the Plaintiff is indeed under a disability pursuant to }{ \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 Order 80 Rule 1 HCR}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 . \par \par The whole action on behalf of the Plaintiff has been very badly handled from the start}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 ,}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 So far if it ha}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 s}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 achieved nothing, no progress has been made in 2 \'bd years.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 If she has paid any fees they should be refunded to her in full.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 The Court is required to take special care for minors, and so are lawyers who take up cases on their behalf.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 The Defendants}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 \rquote }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 costs in this application will be paid by her lawyers.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 \par \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 On the Defendants}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 \rquote }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 application this action is struck out.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 I assess Defendants}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 \rquote }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 costs summarily at $500.00 and direct these be paid by the solicitors who first filed the action and the solicitors who replaced them but took no action.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 They will be jointly and }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 severally}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 liable}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 .}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 \par \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 The Plaintiff should note she may commence a fresh action.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7471221\charrsid14509656 \par I agree with the }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12990351\charrsid14509656 Defendants that the Insurance Company should not have been joined as a Defendant and would have struck them out in any event.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14509656 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12990351\charrsid14509656 D.D. Finnigan \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12990351\charrsid14509656 JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14509656 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12990351\charrsid14509656 At Lautoka \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826322\charrsid14509656 29 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12990351\charrsid14509656 July 2005.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10158158\charrsid14509656 \par }}