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{\title \'93this is a quote, has said, of me saying \'91this is a quote\'92\'94}{\author raikatalau_l}{\operator raikatalau_l}{\creatim\yr2011\mo6\dy15\hr14\min12}{\revtim\yr2011\mo6\dy15\hr14\min14}{\version5}{\edmins5}{\nofpages5}{\nofwords1879}
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\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs16\insrsid8421204 \tab Naipote Vere v Chairman of Disciplined Services Commission & Ors (HC)}{\fs16\insrsid8421204\charrsid933470 \tab }{\field{\*\fldinst {
\cs17\fs16\insrsid8421204\charrsid12604364  PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs17\fs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid14879231 3}}}{\cs17\fs16\insrsid8421204\charrsid933470 
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NAIPOTE VERE v CHAIRMAN OF DISCIPLINED SERVICES COMMISSION, ATTORNEY-GENERAL, FIJI TIMES LIMITED
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 {\*\bkmkend Naipote_Vere_v_Disciplinary_Services_AG}
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\cellx8748\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid2097736 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934\charrsid16676934 13 November 2000, 12 January, 5 October, 2001\cell HBC 348/00S\cell }\pard 
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\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Striking out \endash  defamation \endash  whether Statement of Claim discloses a reasonable cause of action in libel - High Court Rules O.18 r.18(1)(a) 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 D1 and D2 sought to strike out the Statement of Claim on the grounds that it discloses no reasonable cause of action. D3 delivered a Statement of Defence
 but sought by summons to strike out the Statement of Claim on the grounds that although the Plaintiff made complaints about the Commissioner of Police, he did not establish that the words impugned refer to any complaints made by the Plaintiff, that 
when attributing their usual and ordinary meaning to the words complained of they are not capable of bearing the meanings alleged by the Plaintiff, that the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 ordinary man would not regard them as referring to the Plaintiff, and that 
words written by the Chairman of the Disciplined Services Commission do no more than indicate that after its investigations the Commission con
sidered that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations made against the Commissioner and do not give rise to any defamatory imputation whereby the Plaintiff will be held in contempt, scorn or ridicule nor lead to his exclusion from s
ociety. The Court was concerned that the claim did not determine whether the words complained of were attributable to complaints made by the Plaintiff, and gave leave to the Plaintiff to amend his pleadings.
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Held}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  \endash  It is trite law that in order to succeed 
in an action for defamation it is necessary for the Plaintiff to prove that the words were published of him. Whether any pleading should be struck out as disclosing no cause of action depends purely and simply on the allegations in the pleadings alone.

\par 
\par Leave granted to Plaintiff to amend his Statement of Claim to comply with the law on defamation within 14 days.
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Cases referred to in Ruling}{\b\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\b\i\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Bruce v Odhams Press Limited}{\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  (1936) 1 KB 697
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-374\li374\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin374\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\b\i\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Drummond-Jackson v British Medical Association & Others}{
\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  (1970) All ER 1094
\par }{\b\i\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Emosi Vunisa v Director of Lands and Others }{\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 (2001) HBC 4114/00 4 October 2001
\par }{\b\i\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Knupffer v London Express Newspaper}{\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  (1944) AC 116
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\b\i\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Sadgrove v Hole}{
\lang2057\langfe3081\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  (1901) 2 KB 1
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\par Kitione Vuataki for the Plaintiff
\par William Calanchini for the First and Second Defendants
\par Feizal Haniff for the Third Defendant
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\cellx8748\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid11098018 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid1785145 5 October, 2001 \cell  }{
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\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Byrne, J}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 On the 24th of August 2000 the Plaintiff issued a Writ with a Statement of Claim annexed to it. The Statement of Claim reads as follows:}{
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 1.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 \tab }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 The Plaintiff is a barrister and solicitor and a former Police Inspector. The First Defendant is the Chairman of a constitutionally elected body and the Second Defendant
 is a Public Officer whilst the Third Defendant is a publishing company.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 2.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 \tab On or about the 15th of April 1998 the Plaintiff
 who was a Police Officer and employed by the Fiji Police Force lodged an official complaint against the Commissioner of Police Mr. Isikia Rabici Savua (hereinafter to be referred to as the Commissioner).}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 3.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 \tab As a result of the Plaintiff}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
s complaint, the Commissioner was investigated for a total of 19 complaints and all files were sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for direction.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 4.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 \tab On or about the 4th
 day of December 1998, in a letter addressed to the Third Defendant, the First Defendant falsely and maliciously wrote published of and concerning the Plaintiff the following words: "So
 far, all allegations made against the Commissioner are vexatious and not supported by evidence. It is manifestly clear that the major
ity of these incidents have no substance. The Commission has accordingly directed that the investigations be brought to a close."}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 5.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 \tab 
The words in paragraph 4 above were published by the Third Defendant on Friday the 4th day of December 1998 and were widely circulated in Fiji.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 6.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 \tab 
By the words complained of in their natural and ordinary meaning the First}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Defendant meant and was understood to mean that the 
Plaintiff had no or no adequate grounds for complaint against the Commissioner and/or that he wa
s insincere in making such complaints and/or that his object in making the complaint was solely to cause annoyance, inconvenience and distress to the Commissioner and/or damage the Commissioner}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 s reputation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 7.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 \tab The First Defendant sent the letter by an 
envelope addressed to the Third Defendant. The First Defendant well knew at the time he sent the letter that it was likely in the ordinary, course of business to be opened and read by some person or persons in the employment of the Third Defendant
. Furthermore, he well knew that it was likely to be widely read by members of the public if published in the Third Defendant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
s daily newspapers.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 8.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 \tab By reason of the premises the Plaintiff
 has been severely injured in his credit and reputation and has been brought into scandal, odium and contempt and had caused him to resign from the Fiji Police Force where he had been employed for 32 years.
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14879231 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par And the Plaintiff claims:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 (a)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Damages for libel.
\par (b)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 An injunction restraining the Defendant
s by themselves, their servants or agents or otherwise from further publishing the said or any similar libel of and concerning the Plaintiff.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par On the 14th of September 2000 the First and Second Defendants issued a Summons seeking an order under {\*\bkmkstart O18_18_1_a_HCR_N_Vere_v_Cha_Disciplined}Order 18 Rule 18(1)(a) {\*\bkmkend O18_18_1_a_HCR_N_Vere_v_Cha_Disciplined}
of the High Court Rules for an Order that the Statement of Claim be struck out on the grounds that it discloses no reasonable cause of action.
\par 
\par On the 21st of September 2000 the Third Defendant delivered a Statement of Defence which so far as relevant denies that the words referred to in paragraph 4 of the Statement of Claim were published in The Fiji Times on Friday 4th
 December 1998 also denies the allegation in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the Statement of Claim.
\par 
\par It does not plead to paragraph 6 of the Statement of Claim.
\par 
\par On the 13th of October 2000 the Third Defendant issued its own Summons supporting that of the other Defendants and alleging that the Statement of Claim discloses no reasonable cause of action against the Third Defendant. The First and Second Defendant
s base their application on the fact that paragraph 4 of the Statement of Claim makes no reference to the Plaintiff. They say that although paragraph 2 of the Statement of Claim alleges that the Plaintiff
 made complaints about the Commissioner of Police, he has not established that the words impugned in paragraph 4 refer to any complaints made by the Plaintiff.
\par 
\par They submit that the words in paragraph 4 can be read as referring to complaints about the Commissioner either made by persons other than the Plaintiff or complaints made by persons including the Plaintiff or complaints made by the Plaintiff alone.
\par 
\par The First and Second Defendants contend that when attributing their usual and ordinary meaning to the words complained of they are not capable of bearing the meanings alleged by the Plaintiff in his Statement of Claim and they submit that the}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 ordinary man would not regard them as referring to the Plaintiff.
\par 
\par They further say that the words used in the letter written by the Chairman of the Disciplined Services Commission do no more than indicate that after its investigations the Commission considered that there was insufficient evidence to substanti
ate the allegations made against the Commissioner and, if that is so, do not give rise to any defamatory imputation whereby the Plaintiff will be held in contempt, scorn or ridicule nor lead to his exclusion from society.
\par 
\par The Third Defendant supports the submissions of the First and Second Defendants and seeks an order that the Statement of Claim be struck out.
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 THE}{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 LAW}{
\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 It is trite law that in order to succeed in an action for defamation it is necessary for the Plaintiff to prove that the words were published of him. In }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 {\*\bkmkstart Sadgrove_v_Hole_N_Vere_v_Cha_Disciplined}Sadgrove v Hole}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  
{\*\bkmkend Sadgrove_v_Hole_N_Vere_v_Cha_Disciplined}(1901) 2 KB 1 A.L. Smith M.R, at page 4 stated:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 The Plaintiff
 in order to succeed in the action must prove a publication of and concerning him of the libellous matter, and if he does not satisfy the onus of proof which is on him in this respect, there is no cause of action."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par The test to determine whether the words could have referred of the Plaintiff was in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 {\*\bkmkstart Knupffer_v_London_N_Vere_v_C_Disciplined}Knupffer}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  v London Express Newspaper}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  {\*\bkmkend Knupffer_v_London_N_Vere_v_C_Disciplined}
(1944) AC 116 by Viscount Simon L.C. at page 124 to be as follows:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 "There are two questions involved in an attempt to identify the Appellant as
 the person defamed. The first question is a question of law - can the article, having regard to its language, be regarded as capable of referring to the Appellant
? The second question is a question of fact - does the article, in fact, lead reasonable people, who know the Appellant, to the conclusion that it does refer to him."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par In }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 {\*\bkmkstart Bruce_v_Odhams_Nai_Vere_v_Ch_Disciplined}Bruce v Odhams Press Limited}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  
{\*\bkmkend Bruce_v_Odhams_Nai_Vere_v_Ch_Disciplined}(1936) 1 KB 697 Greer L.J. said at p.705:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 D
efamatory statements which are in the air, as it were, and do not appear by their words to refer to the Plaintiff, have got to be made referable to the Plaintiff
 by reasons of special facts and circumstances which show that the words can be reasonably construed as relating to the Plaintiff.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par At p.708 Slesser L.J. said:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
In such a case as the present, the Plaintiff
, not being actually named in the libel, will have to prove an innuendo identifying her in the minds of some people reasonably reading the libel with the person defamed, for there is no cause of action unless the Plaintiff
 can prove a publication of and concerning her of the libellous matter: see per A.L. Smith M.R. in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Sadgrove v Hole}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16676934 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Whether any pleading should be struck out as disclosing no cause of action depends purely and simply on only the allegations in the pleadings - }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 {\*\bkmkstart Drunmond_v_BMA_Naipote_v_Disciplinary}Drummond-Jackson v British Medical Association & Others}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
{\*\bkmkend Drunmond_v_BMA_Naipote_v_Disciplinary} (1970) All ER 1094, a case which is probably now engraved on the minds of all lawyers practising in the Courts. Thus despite the suggestion of the Plaintiff/Respondent
 in his submissions the Court should, consider evidence annexed to the submissions the Court simply cannot consider}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 such evidence. It comes as it were from the Bar Table and as I said in my judgment in HBC414 of 2000 - }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
{\*\bkmkstart Em_Vunisa_v_Dir_N_Vere_v_Cha_Disciplined}Emosi Vunisa v The Director of Lands and Others }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 {\*\bkmkend Em_Vunisa_v_Dir_N_Vere_v_Cha_Disciplined}delivered on the 4th
 of October 2001 at page 13:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1785145\charrsid16676934 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
"Rule 18 prohibits the tendering of any evidence in support of any party attempting to strike out or am
end any pleading which is alleged to disclose no reasonable cause of action or defence. The purpose of the Rule is clear. It allows argument on the law only without permitting the Court to consider any evidence in support of an application to strike out. 
I therefore reject this submission."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16676934 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 All that said however, under {\*\bkmkstart O20_3_HCR_N_Vere_v_Chair_Disciplined}Order 20 Rule 3 {\*\bkmkend O20_3_HCR_N_Vere_v_Chair_Disciplined}
of the High Court Rules a party may, without the leave of the Court, amend any pleading of his once at any time before the pleadings are closed. Thus I am prepared to extend what may be termed perhaps a life line to the Plaintiff
 at this very early stage of the action and give him leave to amend his Statement of Claim to see whether the amended pleadings c
omply with the law on defamation. I therefore make that order and direct that costs be in the cause. The Amended Statement of Claim is to be delivered within 14 days from the delivery of this judgment and the amended pleadings are then to be in accordance
 with the Rules.
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Application fails.
\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15883051\charrsid16676934 Marie Chan}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1972231\charrsid1785145 
\par }}