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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CIVIL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 CIVIL ACTION NO.: HBG0005 OF 2006
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 BETWEEN:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 FIJI ISLANDS REVENUE AND CUSTOMS AUTHORITY
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 PLAINTIFF
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 AND:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 THE OWNERS OF THE MOTOR YACHT "MY MAGGIE D"
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 DEFENDANT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par Ms A. Koroi for Plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9309582\charrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 Date of Judgment}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9309582 : 23}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid9309582\charrsid9309582 rd}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9309582  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 October 2006
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid9309582 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par The Admiralty jurisdiction of the High Court is a difficult area of law.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
It is further complicated in Fiji because the applicable law is scattered in different places. Additionally Admiralty cases do not come before the Fiji courts regularly so there is no great deal of local authority on this area of law.
\par 
\par The starting point in Admiralty cases is Section 21 of the High Court Act (Cap. 13). This section gives the court jurisdiction to hear and determine Admiralty cases. It reads}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 :}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 "The Supreme Court shall be a Colonial Court of Admiralty within the meaning of
 the Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act, 1890, of the United Kingdom, and shall have and exercise such Admiralty jurisdiction as is provided under or in pursuance of subsection (2) of section 56 of the Administration of Justice Act, }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9309582 1}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 956 of the United Kingdo
m or as may from time to time be provided by any Act, but otherwise without limitation, territorially or otherwise."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par The above section requires the court to look at the provisions of the Administration of Justice Act 1956 when considering whether in a p
articular circumstance, the Admiralty jurisdiction is exercisable or not. The relevant provisions of the Administration of Justice Act are set out in volume 2 of the 1967 Supreme Court Practice (The White Book) at paragraph 35}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 46 to 3564 and also 1988 White B}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 ook at paragraphs 1354 to 1368.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par The Admiralty rules as far as applicable to Fiji are set out in two places firstly in volume 2 of the Laws of Fiji at pages 59 to 68. In addition one also has to consider Order 75 as in the White Book, Order 75 still applies to Fiji where no}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875  provision exists in our Admiral}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 ty Rules in Volume 2 and where there is no }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
inconsistency between the two -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875  }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 THE SHIP HALIMA 747}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875  Admiralty 1 of 1995.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par An interesting and clear case on the jurisdictional issue is }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 "THE VOSELAI"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
 40 FLR 224. It looks at all the introductory relevant legislation and relating to the Admiralty jurisdiction.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 For a plaintiff wishing to invoke the Admiralty jurisdiction of the court, he/she must establish that facts regarding the case slot into one or 
more of the claims in items (a) to (s) of the Administration of Justice Act.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par The plaintiffs here are invoking}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid13042800  "the claim for forfeiture" }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 of a ship in case}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 of Action 5 of 2006.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 It is a claim based on unpaid customs duty for vessel "My Maggie D". The vessel was brought into Fiji on 11}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid13042800 t}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid13042800\charrsid13042800 h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13042800  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
September 2003 by an Australian citizen. The customs duties were waived on the premise that the vessel a yacht was brought in for pleasure. This is permissible under Code 228}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 and the Customs Tariff Act. The concession was extended till 31}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid13042800 s}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid13042800\charrsid13042800 t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13042800  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
December 2004. The owner Mr. Davidson has started to work in Fiji and the time limit for the vessel's departure had passed. Accordingly the customs duty is payable because it no longer used for purposes of pleasure, the owner having commenc
ed work in Fiji and the vessel remained in Fiji.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par I have derived assistance from }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 THE SKYLARK}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
 1965 2 Lloyds Report 251 where Commissioner of Customs and Excise was held to be a proper intervener because import duty has not been paid on a vessel "The Skylark".}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par Accordingly I order}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 (1)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 that the Motor Vessel "My Maggie D" be arrested until further order of the court by the Admiralty Marshall of Fiji.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 (2)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 that the order be served on the Port Master.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 (3)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 that the security be provided for the vessel by the plaintiff under the supervision of the Admiralty Marshall.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 (4)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 That this a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9309582 ction stands adjourned till 30}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid9309582\charrsid9309582 th}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9309582  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 October at 11.00 a.m.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 As far as Action 4 of 2006 is concerned, it is a claim fo
r unpaid income tax. It is like a debt. Such claims cannot be brought as Admiralty Action in rem. So I refuse to grant an order for arrest in 4 of 2006.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\b\caps\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 [Jiten Singh]
\par JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5595875 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 At Suva
\par 23}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid9309582 r}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid9309582\charrsid9309582 d}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9309582  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5595875\charrsid5595875 October 2006
\par }}