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.}}{\*\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 \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16715765 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 [2000] 1 FLR 207 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\b\fs24\insrsid10890011 IN THE }{\b\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid10890011 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\b\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 MUNI DEO}{\b\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid10890011 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\b\fs24\insrsid3075\charrsid16715765 v}{\b\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid10890011 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\b\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 NATIONAL INSURANCE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1850012 {\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid4283398\charrsid16715765 High Court}{\fs24\insrsid10890011 Civil Appellate Jurisdiction}{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Scott, J \par 19 September, 2000}{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 HBA}{\fs24\insrsid10890011 }{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 2}{\fs24\insrsid10890011 /}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 00}{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 S}{ \fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\i\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Damages - no written defence or counterclaim - appeal against decision of referee awarding judgment - whether referee's jurisdiction was exceeded - whether a Tribunal has the jurisdiction to make an award in favour of a party who has not f}{ \i\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 iled a Claim or a counterclaim }{\i\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 - whether evidence itself alone can constitute a claim or counterclaim - whether the proceedings were sufficiently noted by the referee}{ \i\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 }{\i\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 - discussion of how a counterclaim is to be placed}{\i\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 before a Small Claim Tribunal }{\i\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 - Small Claims Tribunal Decree (7}{\i\fs24\insrsid4553646\charrsid16715765 /}{\i\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 91) ss8, 10, 10(1), (2), 26, 26(2), (3), 33(1)(b) and 34(1), (2). \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 The Appellant was charged with careless driving but was later discharged by the Court after the driver of the second vehicle failed to appear. The Appellant lodged a claim in the S mall Claims Tribunal seeking damages from the respondent. Although no written defence or counterclaim was filed, the referee ordered the Appellant to pay the $2,000 repair costs incurred through his careless driving to the respondent. The Appellant appeal ed in the Suva Magistrates' Court on the grounds that the referee exceeded her jurisdiction. The appeal was dismissed. The Appellant further appealed against the dismissal on the same grounds. \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\b\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Held}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 - (1) A respondent who wishes to file a defenc}{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 e and counterclaim must file a }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 written counterclaim no later than the day fixed for hearing of the claim by adapting Form 1. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 (2) }{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 A tribunal does not have j}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 urisdiction to make awards in favour of parties who have not filed written counterclaims to the tribunal. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1850012 {\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 (3) Evidence itself does not constitute a claim or counterclaim. \par }{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 (4) Where }{\fs24\insrsid4283398\charrsid16715765 a }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 file lacks evidence, proceedings are not sufficiently noted, to enable a referee to prepare a report of the proceedings, showing what occurred at the proceedings and the reasons for any conclusion which was reached. \par }{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 (5) Where a referee did not summarise the case made by either }{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 a}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 ppellant or respondent the referee did not comply with guidelines or requirements of section 34(1) of the Small Claims Tribunal Decree. \par }{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 (6) Referee's decision to order the claimant to pay money was made in excess of jurisdictio}{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 n.}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 (7) Appeal to the Magistrates' Court fell within terms of section 33(1)(b) and should have been allowed. \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Judgment for the appellant. \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 No cases referred to in judgment \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\i\fs24\insrsid11750600 Raman Singh for the appellant}{\i\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\i\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Kafoa Muaror for the respondent \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 \par 19 September, 2000.}{\fs24\insrsid16126150 \par }{\fs24\insrsid16715765\charrsid16715765 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\b\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1850012 {\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\b\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Scott, J \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 On 9 September 1997 there was a traffic accident at Laucala Bay Road. The Appellant was the driver of one vehicle while the other was insured by the Respondent. \par \par The Police charged the Appellant with careless driving but on 28 June 1998 the Appellant was discharged after the driver of the other vehicle failed to appear at Court. \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 On 3 August 1998 the Appellant lodged a claim in the Suva Small Claims Tribunal see}{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 ki}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 ng $2,000 damages from the Respondent. Although the Respondent was represented at the first mention date at the Tribunal (2 September 1998) and indicated that the claim was disputed, no written defence or Counterclaim appears in the record. A number of documents were, however, filed including a claim letter addressed by the Respondent to the Appellant, a sketch plan of the accident site, an accident claim form and a letter dated 22 September 1997 from the Traffic Officer Central attributing blame for the accident to the Appellant. The referee adjourned the matter for hearing to 20 November. \par \par On 20 November the referee again adjourned the matter to 3 February 1999. It appears from the record the reasons for the adjournment were: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 "1. More}{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 detailed evidence is required.}{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8593521 {\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 2. Witnesses. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8593521 {\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 3. And the actual persons involved in the accident". \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1850012 {\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 On 3 February the referee reached a finding. The record is as follows: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 "the Tribunal ordered: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126150 {\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7438 {\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 in accordance to the Police Statement - re: "Accident involving vehicle no. CN 153" it is clear that the Respondent, National Insurance has the right to claim t he amount in question as the repair costs. Therefore the balance of $2,000 is to be paid by the Claimant for the damages incurred through his careless driving. The amount of $2,000 to be paid at the Small Cl}{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 aims Tribunal Registry in }{\fs24\insrsid14822228\charrsid16715765 installments}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 of $200 pe r fortnight until the full amount is cleared. No default of this payment is expected or the full amount will become payable at once." \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1850012 {\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 \par On 1 November 1999 the Appellant lodged an appeal in the Suva Magistrates' Court. The four grounds of appeal amount to the}{\fs24\insrsid4283398\charrsid16715765 same thing.}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 It is said that in making an award of damages }{\fs24\insrsid4283398\charrsid16715765 to }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 be paid by the Appellant to the Respon}{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid16715765 dent the referee exceeded her j}{ \fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 urisdiction since the Respondent had made no claim against the Appellant. \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 In a brief Judgment which oddly enough did not mention the matter of jurisdiction, the Suva Magistrates Court dismissed the appeal on 20 October}{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 }{ \fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 1999. This is an appeal from that order of dismissal. \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Both Counsel agreed that the appeal gives rise to a numb}{\fs24\insrsid7438 er }{\fs24\insrsid4283398\charrsid16715765 of }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 general importance to the workings of the S mall Claims Tribunal. These questions will be dealt with in turn. \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid7438 Question 1:}{\fs24\insrsid3735709\charrsid7438 }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid7438 How is a Counterclaim to be placed before a }{\fs24\insrsid5117060\charrsid7438 s}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid7438 mall}{ \fs24\insrsid5117060\charrsid7438 }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid7438 Claims Tribunal? \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Answer:}{\fs24\insrsid3735709\charrsid16715765 }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 The relevant section of the Small Claims Tribunal Decree (7}{\fs24\insrsid870180\charrsid16715765 /9}{ \fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 1) is Section 10. This provides in Subsection (1) the Respondent (a person against whom a claim has been made) may counterclaim. Subsection (2) provides that a Counterclaim shall be treated in all respects as if it were a Claim. \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Although the Decree does n ot lay down a precise procedure for dealing with a Counterclaim and there is no Form for the counterclaim in the Form annexed to the Decree, it is clear to me that upon receipt of a Claim a Respondent who wishes not merely to defend but also to countercla im must file a written Counterclaim no later than the day fixed for the hearing of the Claim. Probably the most convenient way to file a Counterclaim is }{\fs24\insrsid4283398\charrsid16715765 by very slightly adapting Form 1}{ \fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 so that it becomes a Counterclai}{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 m Form rather than a Claim Form.}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 In my view it is not sufficient for a Respondent wishing to Counterclaim to do so merely orally. A claim has to be reduced into writin}{\fs24\insrsid1778934\charrsid16715765 g and sworn be true (see Form F}{ \fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 1). Section 10(2) leads me to the conclusion that counterclaim should also comply with these requirements. \par }{\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5117060 {\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid7438 Question 2:}{\fs24\insrsid1778934\charrsid7438 }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid7438 Does a Tribunal have jurisdiction to make an award in favour of a party who has not filed a Claim or Counterclaim? \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1850012 {\fs24\insrsid16126150\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Answer:}{\fs24\insrsid1778934\charrsid16715765 }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 A Tribunal only has jurisdiction to make awards in favour of Claimants or Counter Claimants (Decree 7}{ \fs24\insrsid5598354\charrsid16715765 /91 - Section 8}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 ). While a referee may find that a Claimant has failed to prove the claim and that the other party is therefore entitled to a ruling in his favour a referee must not make an award (e.g. an order for payment of money or delivery of goods) in favour of a Defendant who has not counterclaimed. \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Perhaps the point can be further clarified by distinguishing between a ruling and an award. Where a Claimant is unsuccessful then a ruling will be made against the Claimant and in favour of the Respondent but this does not}{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 mean that the Respondent is awarded anything. An award may only be made in favour of a party who has actually presented a claim }{ \fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 or counterclaim to the Tribunal.}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid7438 Question 3:}{\fs24\insrsid4725784\charrsid7438 }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid7438 Can evidence itself alone constitute a claim or counterclaim? \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Answer:}{\fs24\insrsid4725784\charrsid16715765 }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 This question arises from the special provisions of Section 26 of the Decree. Under Section 26(2) a referee may on his or her own initiative make enquiries and seek evidence. Under Section 26(3) the referee may then take into account whatever eviden ce is considered relevant. \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 In the present case, as has already been noted, a letter was placed before the referee which blamed the Appellant/Claimant for the accident. The referee apparently used this letter as evidence against the Appellant/Claimant. Tha t was permitted by section 26. Where, however, the referee erred was in making an award on the basis of the letter. The referee had no jurisdiction to make an award in favour of the Respondent since the Respondent had not presented a Counterclaim to the T ribunal and therefore there was no claim being made by the Respondent upon which the referee could adjudicate. \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid14822228 Question 4:}{\fs24\insrsid14959956\charrsid14822228 }{\fs24\insrsid4283398\charrsid14822228 W}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid14822228 ere the proceedings sufficiently noted by the referee? \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Answer:}{\fs24\insrsid14959956\charrsid16715765 }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Section 34(2) of the Decree requires the referee to keep a record of the proceedings }{\fs24\insrsid4283398\charrsid16715765 sufficient}{\fs24\insrsid14822228 . E}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 nable a report of the proceedings to be prepared, showing what occurred at the proceedings and the reasons for any conclusion which was reached. The record of proceedings should follow the format laid out on pages 41 & 42 of the Small Claims Tribunal Manua}{\fs24\insrsid12917024\charrsid16715765 l.}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 I have examined the original Tribunal file and although the evidence Forms are on the file they do not contain any evidence at all. I have to conclude that the proceedings were therefore not sufficiently noted. \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid14822228 Question 5: Did the referee's}{\fs24\insrsid8593521\charrsid14822228 report comply with Section 34(1}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid14822228 )? \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Answer: In this case the Report merely stated that the referee had nothing to add to the Order made by her on 3 February in favour of the Respondent. The Report did not follow the guidelines set out on page 78 of the Small Claim Tribunal Manual and in particular it did not summarise the case made either by the Appellant or by the Respondent. In my opinion it did not comply with the req uirements of Section 34(1). \par \par The Referee ordered the Respondent to proceedings before her to pay money to the Claimant. But the Respondent did not have a claim before the Tribunal. For this reason it is my opinion that the referee had no jurisdiction to mak e the order that was made. The appeal to the Magistrates Court fell within the terms }{\fs24\insrsid4283398\charrsid16715765 of Section 33(1)(b}{\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 ) of the Decree and should have been allowed. This appeal succeeds and I enter judgment for the Appellant. \par }{\fs24\insrsid11797426\charrsid16715765 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9981105 {\i\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Appeal succeeds. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16715765 {\fs24\insrsid16715765 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16715765 {\b\fs24\insrsid1850012\charrsid16715765 Marie Chan \par }}