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{\revtim\yr2010\mo5\dy20\hr10\min25}{\version32}{\edmins156}{\nofpages6}{\nofwords2719}{\nofchars15501}{\*\company scims}{\nofcharsws18184}{\vern24689}}\paperw11907\paperh16840\margl1213\margr1213\margt1213\margb1213 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid13634469 FIJI PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13634469 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 High Court}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9177685  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224 Civil Jurisdiction}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13634469 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 Gates, J
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224 5 May, 2000}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13634469 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9177685 HBC}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4794889  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13634469 347}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9177685 /}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 94L
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13634469\charrsid8984231 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid3089224 Striking out - non prosecution of claim - whether delay inordinate and inexcusable}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4982271  }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid3089224 - whether risk of}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13634469\charrsid3089224  }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid3089224 
serious prejudice - defendant's prejudice, public interest prejudice}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4982271  }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid3089224 - H}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7764217\charrsid3089224 CR }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid3089224 O}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid3089224 .18 r }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2185948 .}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid3089224 18(}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid3089224 1}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid3089224 )(c) and }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid3089224 O}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid3089224 .25 r. 1}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid3089224 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4794889 Member of defendant association sought reimbursement of medical expenses. The defendant 
sought to strike the action out for want of prosecution for an unexplained 3 year delay, and relying on the fact that 2 officers, likely witnesses were no longer in the association's employ, and that the plaintiff was no longer a fina}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2185948\charrsid4794889 ncial member of the association.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4794889  The Court found that the plaintiff}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2185948\charrsid4794889 \rquote }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4794889 
s claim and the Defence were sparsely pleaded. Oral evidence of events 9 years ago would be critical and case is unlikely to be heard in the current calendar.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4794889 Held}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4794889  -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4794889  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4794889 (1) The Court can exercise its inherent jurisdiction to allow a plaintiff to proceed with his claim even if there was excessive delay.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4794889 (2) It was not in the public interest for cases to languish in the registries unresolved. Further, a judge's decision would inevitably be less sound and confident 
if based on diminished recollections of witnesses or lacking determinative evidence, thus there was a substantial risk that the court will not be able to do justice at the trial -to the defendant's prejudice and in the public interest. Such prejudice cann
ot be cured by the making of an "unless" order.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4794889 Plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4794889 \rquote }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4794889 
s action struck out for want of prosecution.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid13377551 Cases referred to in Ruling
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 appl }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Finnegan v Parkside Health Authority}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271  [1998]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4982271 1 All ER 595}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 foll }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4086174 Birkett v J}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 ames}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271  [1978}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 ] AC 297
\par cons }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Allen v }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8984231\charrsid4086174 Mc}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Alpine}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271  [1968]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 2 QB 229
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid12394144 ref }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid12394144 Studio Glamour v A.S. Farebrother & Co Limited}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid12394144  (1974) 20 FLR 120}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4794889 F}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 oll }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Merit T}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4086174 i}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 mber}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4086174  }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Products Limited v NLTB}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4982271  [1995] CBV0008}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7356216 /}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 94 24 November 1995
\par cons }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Costellow v Somerset County Council}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271  [1993] 1 }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4982271 All ER 952
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 cons }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Rath v Lawrence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271  [}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 1991] 3 All ER 679
\par cons }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Owen Potter v Turtle}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4086174  }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 
Airways & Anor}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4982271  [1993] ABU}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4660006  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271 49}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4660006 /}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271 92 FCA Reps 93/}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 205 20 August 1993
\par cons }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 New India Assurance Comp}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4086174 any Limited v Rakesh Singh }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8984231\charrsid4086174 &}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4086174  An}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 or}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271  }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid12394144 FCA}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271  [}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4982271 1999] ABU003}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12394144 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4660006 /}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8984231\charrsid4982271 96S 26 November 1999}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 
\par cons }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Beachley Property Ltd. v Edgar}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271  [}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 
1996] TLR 436
\par appl }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Bremer Vulkan v South Pacific Shipping Corporation Ltd}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271  [1981] AC 909
\par appl }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Dept. of Transport v Chris Smaller (Transport) Ltd}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16130863 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4982271  [1989] 1 All ER 897}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 cons }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Grovit v Doctor}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4982271  [}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271 1997] 2 All ER 417
\par cons }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Westminster City}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4086174  Council v Clifford Culpin & P}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 artners (a firm)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4982271  (1987) NLJ 736
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4660006 Iqbal Khan fo}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4086174\charrsid4660006 r the plaintiff}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551\charrsid4660006 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4660006 Anu Patel for the defendant
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 5 May 2000.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid13377551 RULING}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid13377551 Gates, J}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 .
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13377551 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 The plaintiff had been a member 
of the Defendant Association. The Association provided a Medical Benefits Scheme for its members. Whilst on holiday in New Zealand in 1992 the Plaintiff fell sick.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4343601 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid8920270 On 4 June 1992 he was admitted to the Middlemore Hospital. He had substantial medical and}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  surgical treatment costin
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4343601 g $18,500. He seeks re-}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 imbursement from the Defendant in accordance with its Scheme.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4343601 
\par B}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 y a Summons dated 5 November 1998, the Defendant seeks an order of dismissal of this action for want of prosecution. The ground relied on is that there will be prejudice to the fair tr
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4479916 ial of the action. Order 25 r. 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  and Ord. 18 r.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4479916 1}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 (c), w}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8984231 hich must mean Ord.18 r.18(1)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
(c), are referred to in the Summons as founding jurisdiction for the application in that the default "may prejudice, embarrass or dela}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9260162 y the fair trial of the action".}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4343601 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
The Supreme Court Practice (Eng) deals with this jurisdiction under Ord.25 r. 1 although the court has both inherent jurisdiction to prevent abuses of its procedure, and specific power under }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8984231 
the Rules [see also Ord. 34 r.1(2) and Ord. 78 r.5}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 (2)] to strike out actions where there has been excessive delay.
\par 
\par In support the Defendant filed the affidavit of Jitendra Singh, its Finance and Administration Officer, which affidavit was sworn on 19th March 1998 but filed only on 5 No
vember 1998. In it, Mr. Singh refers to the course of proceedings which can be summarised:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid1667356 
\par }\trowd \irow0\irowband0\ts11\trrh-416\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone 
\clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916
\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 14\cell December 1994\cell Writ of Summons\cell }\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \trowd \irow0\irowband0\ts11\trrh-416\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt
\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil 
\cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row }\trowd \irow1\irowband1\ts11\trrh-442\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc
\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone 
\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 15\cell February 1995\cell Defence filed\cell }\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \trowd \irow1\irowband1\ts11\trrh-442\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt
\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil 
\cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row }\trowd \irow2\irowband2\ts11\trrh-403\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc
\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone 
\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 17\cell March 1995\cell Defendant's Summons [Order sealed\cell }\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \trowd \irow2\irowband2\ts11\trrh-403\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt
\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil 
\cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row }\trowd \irow3\irowband3\ts11\trrh-264\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc
\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone 
\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \cell \cell incorrectly stated "Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 s"] for\cell }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \trowd \irow3\irowband3
\ts11\trrh-264\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb
\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row }\trowd \irow4\irowband4
\ts11\trrh-254\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb
\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \cell \cell }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8920270 T}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 ransfer of proceedings to Suva\cell }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\trowd \irow4\irowband4\ts11\trrh-254\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone 
\clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row 
}\trowd \irow5\irowband5\ts11\trrh-307\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone 
\clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916
\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \cell \cell refused.\cell }\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \trowd \irow5\irowband5\ts11\trrh-307\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt
\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil 
\cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row }\trowd \irow6\irowband6\ts11\trrh-408\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc
\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone 
\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 3\cell March 1998\cell Service upon Defendant of filed\cell }\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \trowd \irow6\irowband6\ts11\trrh-408\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt
\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil 
\cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row }\trowd \irow7\irowband7\ts11\trrh-254\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc
\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone 
\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \cell \cell Notice of Intention to Proceed,\cell }\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \trowd \irow7\irowband7\ts11\trrh-254\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt
\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil 
\cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row }\trowd \irow8\irowband8\ts11\trrh-274\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc
\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone 
\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \cell \cell Reply to Defence and Summons for\cell }\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \trowd \irow8\irowband8\ts11\trrh-274\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt
\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil 
\cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row }\trowd \irow9\irowband9\lastrow \ts11\trrh-256\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 
\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone 
\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\pard 
\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \cell \cell Directions\cell }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 
{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 \trowd \irow9\irowband9\lastrow \ts11\trrh-256\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone 
\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth497\clshdrawnil \cellx1217\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2016\clshdrawnil \cellx3233\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb
\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3683\clshdrawnil \cellx6916\row }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par There was a gap therefore of 3 years between 1995 and 1998 when the Plaintiff took no step in the action.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
Mr. Singh deposed that the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid8614656 Defendant, lost}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4343601\charrsid8614656  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid8614656 
the services of two of its officers in late 1995, likely witnesses for the Defence who were familiar with the Plaintiffs claim. Mr. Singh added that at the time of the claim the Plaintiff was no longer a financial member of the Defendant Association, and 
for this reason he says the Plaintiff does not have a good and substantial cause of action.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8614656 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 The Plaintiff filed an affidavit in opposition sworn by him on 24 March 1999 and filed on 7 April 1999. He stated he now resided in New Zealand. He provided a chron
ology, stated that there had not been inordinate or inexcusable delay, and gave an undertaking to proceed with due diligence and without delay.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8614656 
\par T}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 he court can exercise its inherent jurisdiction to allow the Plaintiff to proceed with his claim even if it co
ncludes that there has been excessive delay. Additionally, it has discretionary powers conferred by Ord. 3 r.4, powers allowing "the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8847508  widest measure of discretion" (}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8920270 per Hirst L}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 J in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Finnegan v. Parkside Health Authority}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8847508  [1998] 1 All ER 595 at 604j)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 .
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8872008 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 In }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Birkett v. James}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
 [1978] AC 297 at 318 Lord Diplock said that an action could be struck o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8872008 ut where the court is satisfied:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8872008 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3736707 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
(a) that there has been inordinate and inexcusable delay on the part of the plaintiff or his lawyers, and (b) that such delay will giv
e rise to a substantial risk that it is not possible to have a fair trial of the issues in the action or is such as is likely to cause or to have caused serious prejudice to the defendants either as between themselves and the plaintiff or between each oth
er or between them and a third party.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8872008 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 Such principles were first set out in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Allen v. McAlpine}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  [1968] 2 QB 229, and adopted in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Studio Glamour v A.S. Farebrother & Co. Ltd}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8872008  [}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 1974] 20 FLR 120 at 123A. This approach has often been applied in Fiji, and more recently confirmed by the Supreme Court in }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Merit Timber Products Ltd. v. N.L.T.B.}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 (u
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8984231 nreported) Supreme Court Civil }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5789718 a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 pp. CBV0008 of 1994, 24 November 1995.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8872008 
\par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid9639443 1. Was the delay inordinate?
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8872008 
\par The next step after}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  receiving the 
Defendant's Defence was for the plaintiff to issue a Reply to Defence or a Summons for Directions. The Plaintiff did not take either of these steps for a period of 3 years.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8872008 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 There can be no mechanistic approach to what amounts to "inordinate" delay; see observations of Bingham MR in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 
Costellow v. Somerset County Counci}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 l}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  [1993] 1 All ER 952 at 959h.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
In the case before me, a one page Statement of Claim was issued, for a simple contract case, which attracted a one and a half page Defence. In the circumstances I find the 3 year delay to be inordinate; see }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Rath v. Lawrence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  [1991] 3 All ER 679 at 691f (where the inactivity was for 4 years); }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Birkett v. James}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid2704357  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
(supra) 2 years inactivity after order to set down.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid9639443 
\par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid9639443 2. Was it inexcusable?
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 What was the reason for the delay here? It is left unexplained. The}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid5263609  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 affidavit of the plaintiff does not deal with this issue. The delay should have been explained see }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 
Clough v. Clough}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609  [1968] 1 WLR 525 at 528A; }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 Allen v. McAlpine}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609  (supra); and }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 Potter v. Turtle Airways & Anor}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 . (unreported) Court of Appeal 20 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357\charrsid5263609 August 1993 Fiji Civil App. 49/1}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 992. However that omission is not necessarily fatal to the plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5789718\charrsid5263609 \rquote }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 s position for as Lord Woolf MR said in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid5263609 Beachley Property Ltd. v. Ed}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6898700\charrsid5263609 q}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 ar}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 
 [1996] TLR 436, he "would reject the argument that the absence of a good reason was always, and in itself sufficient to}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid5263609  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 justify the court in refu}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6623213\charrsid5263609 sing to exercise its discretion.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid5263609 " In the absence of any explanation and in considering the surrounding circumstances, I conclude the delay in this case was inexcusable.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357 
\par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid6623213 3. Is there a risk of serious prejudice?
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 
In spite of an inordinate and inexcusable delay by a plaintiff as here, Defendants pressing for a striking out need to show "that there was a substantial risk that justice between the parties could not be done at the trial" (}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 Bremer}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357\charrsid15032277  }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 
Vulkan v. South Pacific Shipping Corporation Ltd}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357\charrsid15032277 . [1981}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 
] AC 909 at 985A. It was necessary also to show that the limitation period had already expired, as here, otherwise a fresh writ could always be issued }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357\charrsid15032277 Birkett v J}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 ames}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 
 (supra). Invariably Defendants concentrated on likely prejudice to their own cases. This type of prejudice might be regarded as the first category of prejudice to be considered. But the prejudice could apply equally to the cases of any of the litigants. 
The onus is on the Defendant to demonstrate that likely prejudice }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 Dept. of Transport v. Chris Smaller Transport; Ltd}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357\charrsid15032277 . [1989] }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 
1 All ER 897. It has been held that specific instances of prejudice must be set out in the affidavit of the applicant }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 Merit Timber Products Ltd. v. N.L.T.B}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15032277\charrsid15032277 .\rquote }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277  (supra). Whilst distinguishing between prejudice that can be implied from the extent of}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357\charrsid15032277  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 
the delay itself from prejudice arising from particular events that may have occurred during the relevant period, the Court of Appeal in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 New I
ndia Assurance Company Ltd. v. Rakesh Singh & Anor}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 . }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 (unreported) Court of}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2704357\charrsid15032277  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid15032277 
Appeal, Fiji 26 November 1999 ABU0031 of 1996S required of the Defendants considerably more detail of prejudice in regard to the non-availability of witnesses than had been provided 
in the applicant's affidavit. For instance the court wanted to have before it evidence of enquiries made to trace the witnesses, of when they went away, of the general nature of their evidence, and in what way prejudice had been caused. The case involved 
an insurance claim and has some similarity therefore to this case.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6510798 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 In the present case the plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13634089 \rquote }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 s claim is sparsely pleaded. So is the Defence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13634089 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
 The Reply served on 3 March 1998 fills in some of the gaps of the Statement of Claim. The main issues appear to be whether the plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  was a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6510798  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
financial member of the Defendant at the relevant time, and whether the fact that he became sick in New Zealand was an insured event under the policy. But the Reply also deals with an allegation of misrepresentation by o
ne of the Defendant's agents concerning membership fees once a member becomes sick, policy documents not supplied, and limitations not drawn to the plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6510798 \rquote }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 s attention.
\par 
\par The oral evidence drawn from the witnesses recollections therefore is likely to be m
ore significant than the letters and insurance documents themselves. Obviously the loss of the employ of witnesses and the need for the witnesses accurate recollections of conversations is crucial here. The events to be recollected will not be so memorabl
e as in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Birkett v. James}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  (whether or not a party had promised to pay 1 million }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6623213 pounds to the other). This case}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8080842 \rquote }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
 is unlikely to be heard this year which means witnesses will have to recollect matters going back 9 years, a situation far from ideal.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12919357 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
This brings me to consider a second category of prejudice which could be called the public interest prejudice. This occurs when cases do not move through the courts system with smooth and steady progression from writ to trial and judgment, from commenceme
nt to disposal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
It is not in the public interest for cases to languish in court registries unresolved. No doubt solicitors report to their clients that it is the courts who cannot hear their cases. At the Lautoka High Court this has often been the reason fo
r delay. However that is no reason for litigants or their solicitors to allow their cases to go to sleep. The supply of judges may soon be cured. Case management is even more imperative therefore for the High Court at Lautoka than it is for other court ce
ntres.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12919357 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
A further factor to be weighed in the public interest category of prejudice is the added difficulty cast upon the trial judge. He or she has to hear from witnesses with diminished recollections, and not to he
ar from witnesses who may have been able to supply the determinative evidence upon which the judge might with confidence have rounded his decision. He is left instead with less than the originally available evidence, such remainder being less convincing t
h
an it could have been if it had been recollected and heard earlier. The Judge's decision is inevitably less sound and less confident. None of this is in the public interest for the operation of a fair system of justice. It would result said Lord Diplock i
n the }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Bremer Vulkan Case}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
 (supra) at 984 in "substantial risk that at the hearing the court would be unable to do justice." "And finally the judge's task would be well nigh impossible" }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Birkett v. James}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  (supra) at 304H. The mischief perceived by the courts wa
s the inordinate delay in bringing actions on for trial." (per Lord Diplock op. cit at 984-5). This became a problem in England in the late 1960s, and early 1970s with the advent of generous Legal Aid when the courts had to take a strong line in order to 
d
iscipline dilatory solicitors. The remedy "was introduced mainly for the protection of plaintiffs against the negligence of their own solicitors." (Lord Diplock at 985). The remedy was later confined to the showing of prejudice to one of the litigants, us
ually the Defendant. In the late 1990s the courts returned to a less tolerant approach (see }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Beachley Property Ltd. v. Edgar}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12987204  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8725829  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
it was very important that the court's resources should be used as efficiently and effectively as possible}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid8984231 "; }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4086174 
Costellow v Somerset County C}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 ouncil}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10435289\charrsid4086174 ; Mortgage Corporation Ltd. v. S}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 andoes}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  [1996] TLR 751; }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 
Finnegan v. Parkside Health Authority}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 ).
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10435289 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 Criticisms of the authorities taking a weaker line were amply set out in the speech of Lord Woolf in the House of Lords case of }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Grovit v. Doctor}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10435289  [}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 1997]}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 2 All ER 417 at 419-}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8725829 4}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 10:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10435289 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10487038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
"The requirement laid down by the second principle that the delay has to cause serious prejudice to the defendants can and has been the subject of criticism. It is suggested:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10435289 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10487038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10435289 (1) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
The effectiveness of the court's power to strike out proceedings as a sanction against delay is undermined by the need to show prejudice to the defendants.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10435289 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10487038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
This requirement prevents the court taking into account the adverse effect which delay can have on the reputation and efficiency of the civil j
ustice system as a whole. Defendants (for reasons which will be explained later) find it difficult to establish prejudice, so th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10435289 e requirements of the Rules of }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224 t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 he Supreme Court and the County Court Rules as to time can usually be ignored with a reasonable 
degree of confidence that nothing very serious will happen in consequence. Actions therefore take much longer to come to trial than they should and the general impression given to the public is that litigation is a very long drawn-out process with which t
hey should try to avoid becoming involved.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10435289 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10487038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 (2)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 What is regarded as capable of amounting to prejudice}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9581675  is too restricted. Normally lit}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 tle regard is paid to the anxiety caused to litigants as a result of litigation. The fact that a defendant will normally rec
over his costs if he succeeds is regarded as providing a sufficient protection to the defendant for the consequence of being involved in the proceedings. This is far from being the position, the costs payable do not usually indemnify the defendant for the
 cost actually incurred and their recovery is delayed.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9581675 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10487038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9581675 (3) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
In order to establish prejudice a defendant is required usually to show that the delay has prejudiced him in the conduct of his defence. This will involve him in having to demonstrate, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1385014 for example,
 that his witnesses\rquote }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
 recollection has been adversely affected. Relying on this sort of ground is all right from the defendant's point of view if the action is struck out but can be unfortunate if the action is not struck out since he has undermined his own
 case by his comments about his witnesses."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9581675 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 Lord }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9581675 Gri}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 ffiths' speech in the earlier case of }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Dept}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8984231\charrsid4086174 .}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 
 of Transport v. Chris Smaller (Transport}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4086174 )}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174  Ltd}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 (supra) was revisited. The court had approved of Kerr LJ's statement in }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Westminster City}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid4086174  Council v Clifford Culpin & }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10487038 .}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Partners (a firm)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  (1987) 137 NL}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224 J }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 736:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9581675 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10487038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
"that our law needs to be changed both in substance and procedurally and that the principles laid down in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid10487038 Birkett v. James}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  are unsatisfactory and inadequate. They are far too lenient to deal effectively with excessive}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 delays. Moreover they then breed excessive further delays and costs in their application.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 Similar misgivin}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 gs were expressed by Mustill L.J}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 ."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10487038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 Lord Griffiths himself had said at 1207:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10487038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 "I, for my part, recommend a radical over
haul of the whole civil procedural process and the introduction of court controlled case management techniques designed to ensure that once a litigant has entered the litigation process his case proceeds in accordance with a timetable as prescribed by rul
es of court as modified by a judge:"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224\charrsid1667356 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid4940935 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 L}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 ord Wool}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224 f at 421}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1385014 b}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  noted that:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4940935 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 
"The period which has elapsed since Lord Griffith's speech has not seen any improvement in the problems caused by delay in the conduct of civil proceedings."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16130863 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 It is not suggested that the plaintiff in the instant case has deliberately not proceeded with his claim (as was the case in }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Grovit}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 ) or that he has been guilty of contumelious conduct.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 
\par }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Grovit's}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174  }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 case}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  does not appear to have been drawn to the attention of our Court of Appeal at the hearing of the }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 
New India Assurance case}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  (supra).
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 In the result I find there to have been established a substantial risk of prejudice to the defendant in resisting the plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4940935 \rquote }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 s claim caused by the delay. Additionally I find the
re to exist a substantial risk that the court will not be able to do justice at the trial. For this reason I believe the matter cannot be cured simply by the making of an "unless" order and ordering costs. I also find that the unexplained delay of 3 years
 here to be unsatisfactory and a matter against which the High Court at Lautoka must set its heart }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid4086174 Grovit v. Doctor}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3089224  (supra).}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356  The action is struck out for want of prosecution.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1667356 I order the Plaintiff to pay the Defendant's costs of this application which I summarily assess at $400 inclusive of disbursements.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10245753 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid3089224 Application granted.}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356 
\par }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1385014\charrsid1385014 
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3363714 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1667356\charrsid1385014 Marie Chan
\par }}