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\li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid13523086 \par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI ISLANDS \par AT SUVA \par CIVIL JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 CIVIL ACTION NO: HBC 235 of 2007 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 BETWEEN: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 CHARAN \endash KATONIVERE HOLDINGS LTD \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Plaintiff \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 AND:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 CHALLENGE ENGINEERING LTD \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Defendant}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 SUVA CITY COUNCIL \par Third Party \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par Ms. R. Naidu - for the Plaintiff \par Mr. R. Nand - for the Defendant \par Ms. S. Saumatua - for the 3rd Party \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Date of Decision}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 : 8th April 2010 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 DECISION \par [Application to transfer action] \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par [1] By Motion dated 17 April 2009 the Plaintiff is seeking an order that this }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 action be transferred}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 to the Magistrate \rquote s Court at Suva for determination upon the grounds contained on the affidavit of Ritesh Chandra Singh, the Litigation Executive employed by the Plaintiffs solicitors. \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Background Facts \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par [2] Briefly, the background facts are that the plaintiff pursuant to the Sales and Purchase Agreement entered into by the plaintiff with the defendant bought certain properties, namely Crown Leases Nos. 7511, 1717, 1731 and 1747. \par \par [3] It was a term of the said agreement that the defendant would pay all outgoings including Suva City Council rates in respect of the said properties to the date of settlement. \par \par [4] It is alleged that the defendant failed to pay the rates in respect of the said properties and the Council lodged a charge over Crown Lease No. 7511 on 15 June 2005 for arrears of City Rates and is now claiming rates from the plaintiff. \par \par [5] However, the plaintiff has cleared the rates with the Council from 1998 to 2002. \par \par [6] On 31 May 2007 the plaintiff issued a writ of summons against the defendant claiming the sum of $18,665.49 which it paid in respect of the rates. \par \par [7] The }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Magistrate\rquote s Court Act [Amendment Promulgation 2007] Promulgation No. 34 of 2007}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 had increased the Magistrates Court jurisdiction to hear matters upto the claim of $50,000.00. \par \par [8] The defendant\rquote s submission sets out the grounds for objecting to the transfer. \par \par [9] The action herein was commenced by the plaintiff on 31 May 2007 and the Promulgation was issued on 27 September 2007. \par \par [10] The Defendant refers to }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Section 3}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 of the said Promulgation which provides as follows:- \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\b\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 "Any civil case already instituted in the High Court at t he commencement of this Promulgation and with respect to which jurisdiction is vested in a magistrate\rquote s court by reason of this Promulgation may, with the consent of the parties, be remitted under an order of a Judge of the High Court to the magistrate\rquote s court for hearing and determination."}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 [emphasis mine] \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par [11] Counsel for the defendant therefore argues that the matter can only be remitted to the Magistrate\rquote s Court }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \lquote if the parties agree\rquote }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 . The defendant does not agree since it says "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 the matter is already in the High Court and the pleadings have been filed, the matter should be heard and determined by the High Court}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 ." He says that the matter cannot be transferred to the Magistrate\rquote s Court unless the parties consent. The defendant is not consenting to that. \par \par [12] The defendant says that it relies on notice of Assessment for the year 2004 which shows a \lquote nil balance\rquote for rates. In 2005 the Third Party [Suva City Council] issued arrears of rates and claims it from plaintiff. \par \par [13] It is the defendant\rquote s submission that the nature of claim "involves complex issues which are best determined by the High Court." \par \par [14] As ordered by Court both counsel filed written submissions in late October 2009. \par \par [15] Because of ill \endash health I was not able to deliver my decision until now. \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Consideration of the application \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par [16] Pursuant to the provisions of the said Promulgation there is no doubt that the Magistrates Court has jurisdiction to deal with claim up to $50,000.00. \par \par [17] This is a personal suit arising out of contract where the balance claimed is not more than $50,000.00. \par \par [18] No question of title to land arises in this case as the issue is whether any rates are owed to the Suva City Council and if so, what is the amount and for what period. \par \par [19] I have carefully considered the argument advanced by both counsel particularly on the interpretation of section 3 of the said Promulgation. \par \par [20]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8470280 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8470280 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 a. Even without the said section 3, the court has the inherent jurisdiction to transfer a case if it thinks that it is a proper case to do so. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8470280 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8470280 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 b. Here the present case falls within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate\rquote s Court to hear the case. Hence the High Court \lquote must\rquote transfer the case although commenced in the High Court pursuant to the said section of the Promulgation. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par [21] I say "must transfer" because of my reading of the interpretation of the word \lquote may\rquote in the context of the said section given by }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 MacDuff CJ in W.L.D Harvie Limited -v- Naranji Deoji and Others}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 8 FLR p.117}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 . \par \par [22] The said section 3 says "\'85 }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 may, with the consent of the parties be remitted}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 ." The determination of the issue before this court is dependent not so much on the words "}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 with the consent of the parties}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 " as what interpretation which one puts on the word \lquote }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 may}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \rquote . \par \par [23] In }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Harvie Limited}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 [supra] at p.117 it was held that: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 "the word "may" as used in the first sentence of para. (b)of Order 13 of the Magistrates\rquote Courts Rules has a compulsory meaning. When, therefore, a defendant in an action in tort pleads specially in objection to the jurisdiction and provides evidence [which is not disputed] that he carries on business in Lautoka, the action, commenced in the Magistrate\rquote s Court at Suva, must be reported by the Magistrate to the Supreme Court under section 33 of the Magistrates\rquote courts Ordinance and dealt with by the Supreme Court under paragraph (d) of Order 13 of the Magistrate\rquote s Courts Rules." \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par [24] In the light of the above I would say that the word \lquote may\rquote in the case before me means \lquote must\rquote . \par \par [25] If the Court cannot transfer then the whole purpose of the transfer provision will be defeated. \par \par [26] In my view it would be wrong to read \lquote may\rquote with the words \lquote with the consent of the parties\rquote as obtaining the \lquote consent\rquote is one of the ways in which transfer co uld be effected and it cannot oust the jurisdiction of the court to transfer if consent of both parties is not obtained. \par \par [27] In }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Harvie Limited}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 [supra] at p.119 }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 MacDuff CJ}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 quoted the following passage from }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 R. V. Mitchell, }{\b\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Ex parte}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Livesey}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 [1913] 1 KB 561 on p.568}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 by }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Lord Coleridge J}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 which I consider apt in determining the issue before me on the interpretation of the word \lquote may\rquote :- \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 "Originally, and apart from surrounding circumstances, the word \lquote may\rquote in a statute means \lquote may \rquote and nothing else. That has often been laid down, especially by Cotton L.J. in In re Barker, Nichols \endash v- Baker. But it is equally clear that there are cases where the word \lquote may\rquote has the effect of \lquote must\rquote . Apart from the cases which have been cited there is Rex \endash v- Justices of Dublin. By s.5 of the Beerhouses [Ireland] Act 1864 [27 & 28 Vict. C.35], the superintendent of police of the Dublin Metropolitan Police district is authorized to object before justices to the issue of a certificate for a licence, and t he justices shall in such case proceed to consider, examine on oath into, and adjudicate upon the truth, sufficiency, and validity of such objection; and if such justices shall be satisfied of the truth and sufficiency of the such objection, \lquote they may refuse to grant such certificate.\rquote In constructing this enactment Andrews J. said: \lquote Having regard to these provisions, I think it clear, and it has not been disputed, that if the justice is satisfied of the truth, sufficiency, and validity of the objection, his duty is to refuse to grant the certificate, and that the word \lquote may \rquote is to be interpreted in an obligatory as distinguished from a merely permissive sense\rquote . Undoubtedly the word \lquote may\rquote there means must. Therefore regard must be had to the surrounding circumstances to discover whether the word \lquote may\rquote is to have a permissive or a compulsory meaning." \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Conclusion \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par [28] To conclude, in the light of what I have stated hereabove, the plaintiff succeeds in its application to transfer the case to the Magistrate\rquote s Court at Suva for in all the circumstances of this case the word \lquote may\rquote has a compulsory meaning. I reject the defendant\rquote s reasons for objecting to the transfer. \par \par [29] Because the Magistrate\rquote s Court has jurisdiction to hear the case it is only proper that the case be transferred to that Court on the facts and the nature of this case. \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 Order \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par [30] It is therefore ordered that this action be transferred to the Magistrate\rquote s Court at Suva with costs against the defendant in the sum of $400.00 to be paid within 14 days. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 D. Pathik \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5707401 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5707401\charrsid5707401 \par At Suva \par 8th April 2010.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1972231\charrsid5707401 \par }}