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\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2309654 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid2309654\charrsid2309654 IN THE SUPREME}{\b\insrsid8743601\charrsid2309654  COURT}{
\b\insrsid2309654\charrsid2309654  OF {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname country-region}}{\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname place}}FIJI{\*\xmlclose}{\*\xmlclose}
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid2309654 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2309654 {\insrsid2309654 Criminal Appeal No. 6}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 7 of 197}{\insrsid2309654 6}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid2309654 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2309654 {\insrsid2309654 BETWEEN
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid2309654\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2309654 {\b\insrsid2309654\charrsid2309654 VICTOR JIW}{\b\insrsid8743601\charrsid2309654 A}{\b\insrsid2309654\charrsid2309654 N}{
\b\insrsid8743601\charrsid2309654  }{\b\insrsid2309654\charrsid2309654 R}{\b\insrsid8743601\charrsid2309654 AJ}{\b\insrsid10561942 U
\par }{\b\insrsid2309654\charrsid2309654 s/o JAMES RAJU}{\b\insrsid8743601\charrsid2309654 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid2309654 
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\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid2309654\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2309654 {\b\insrsid2309654\charrsid2309654 REGINAM}{\b\insrsid8743601\charrsid2309654 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid2309654\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2309654 {\b\insrsid8743601\charrsid2309654 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid2309654\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid2309654 On {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname date}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Month}{\xmlattrvalue 8}}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Day}{\xmlattrvalue 18}}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Year}{\xmlattrvalue 1976}}}the 18}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 th August 197}{\insrsid2309654 6{\*\xmlclose} at Suva Ma}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 gistrates Court the appellant was con}{\insrsid2309654 victed after trial of larceny c}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
ontrary to section 294(1) of the Penal Code. The}{\insrsid2309654  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 appellant appealed }{\insrsid2309654 against conviction and on {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname date}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Month}
{\xmlattrvalue 9}}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Day}{\xmlattrvalue 30}}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Year}{\xmlattrvalue 1976}}}the 30}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 th }{\insrsid2309654 September 1976{\*\xmlclose} the conviction was qu}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ashed for the following reasons.
\par 
\par }{\insrsid2309654 In the lig}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ht of what transpired during the }{\insrsid2309654 t}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 rial,}{\insrsid2309654  the only admissible evidence ag}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
ainst the appellant }{\insrsid2309654 on which the }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 trial Magistrate relied was that upon the}{\insrsid2309654  discovery of a}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  stolen motor vehicle battery, which was }{\insrsid2309654 
found hidden }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 in a shed in the presence of the owner, a }{\insrsid2309654 police officer and }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 the appellant}{\insrsid2309654 , the appellant }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 said that }{
\insrsid2309654 he had put the battery there. }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 At }{\insrsid2309654 his trial the appellant made an unsworn statement denying any knowledg}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 e}{\insrsid2309654  of the theft 
of the battery. The trial M}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 agistrate found that the admission by the appellant of having put the battery }{\insrsid2309654 in }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 the shed s}{\insrsid2309654 h}{\insrsid16454735 o}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 wed he was exercising some form of control over it and held that he was a party to its theft. Upon the hearing of the appeal the Crown}{\insrsid2309654  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 c
onceded that such evidence was insufficient to ground a conviction for larceny and the appeal was allowed.}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid2309654\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid2505011 H}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 owever the present case does raise another}{\insrsid2505011  matter of some importance that req}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 uires clarifying. In}{\insrsid2505011  his judgment, after }{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 referring to the fact that }{\insrsid2505011 the appellant }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 chose to make an unsworn statement from the}{\insrsid2505011  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
dock rather than giving sworn evidence subject to }{\insrsid2505011 cross-}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 examination, the trial }{\insrsid2505011 Magistrate continued:-}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid2505011\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2505011 {\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 This avenue open to the a}{\insrsid8485036 ccused is what might be termed }{
\insrsid14099628 '}{\insrsid8485036 a hang over}{\insrsid14099628 '}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  from the pre-1893 position when the accused could not give evidence on oath and had only this means of stating his position. At this stage it w}{
\insrsid8485036 ould be well to make reference }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 to the recent English case of }{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid2505011 R. v. }{\b\i\insrsid2505011\charrsid2505011 Coughl}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid2505011 an }{
\insrsid2505011 (}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 The Times {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname date}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Month}{\xmlattrvalue 7}}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Day}{\xmlattrvalue 16}}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Year}
{\xmlattrvalue 1976}}}1}{\insrsid2505011 6}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 /7/76{\*\xmlclose}). There at was said
 that whatever status might be assigned to unsworn statements, they could hardly vie with sworn evidence in cogency and weight. In that case it was also said that an unsworn statement could not prove facts not otherwise proved by evidence before the jury,
 but it might make them see the proved facts and the inferences to be drawn }{\insrsid8485036 from them in a different light.}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505011 {\insrsid2505011\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid2505011 In }{\b\i\insrsid2505011\charrsid9928292 R}{\b\i\insrsid2505011\charrsid660515 . v. Emori K}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid660515 ilaka}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  (Suva Crim.}{\insrsid2505011  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 App.}
{\insrsid2505011  No. 75/76}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ) this C}{\insrsid2505011 ourt, subsequent to the trial M}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 agistrate}{\insrsid14099628 '}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s judgment above}{\insrsid2505011 -}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 quoted, referred briefly to}{\insrsid2505011  the}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  decision of the}{\insrsid2505011  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 English Court of Criminal Appeal in }{
\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid2505011 R. v. Coughlan}{\insrsid2505011  in the following terms:-}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2505011 {\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
The appellant made an unsworn statement denying any knowledge of the commission of the offences; and this may be a convenient time to reiterate that, notwithstanding the vague suggestions to the c}{\insrsid2505011 ontrary in }{
\b\i\insrsid2505011\charrsid2505011 R. v. Coughlan}{\insrsid2505011  (1976}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ) The Times July 15, a statement from the dock is evidence, in the sense that the co}{\insrsid8485036 urt can give to it such weight a}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s it thinks fit and should take it into consideration in deciding whether the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt (}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid2505011 R. v. Gurmel Sin}{
\b\i\insrsid2505011 g}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid2505011 h}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  Suva Crim. App.}{\insrsid2505011  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 No. 123/73; }{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid2505011 R. v. Lenaitasi V}{\b\i\insrsid2505011 a}{
\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid2505011 kator}{\b\i\insrsid2505011 a}{\insrsid7090544  Suva Crim. App. N}{\insrsid2505011 o, 166/73; }{\b\i\insrsid2505011\charrsid2505011 R}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid2505011 . v. Frost & Hale}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  }{\insrsid2505011 (196}{\insrsid7090544 4) The Times April 9).}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505011 {\insrsid2505011\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid2505011 In vi}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ew of th}{\insrsid2505011 e trial Magistra}{\insrsid7090544 te}{\insrsid14099628 '}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s reference to }{\b\i\insrsid2505011\charrsid812390 R. v. }{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid812390 Cou}{\b\i\insrsid812390\charrsid812390 ghlan}{\insrsid812390 , I}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
 think it desirable now to consider }{\insrsid812390 that decision more }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 fully and place it in historical}{\insrsid812390  perspective.}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid812390\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid812390 In England during the 18}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 th Century (partly as}{\insrsid812390 
 a reaction against earlier Star Chamber practices, interrogation under torture and the compulsory administration of an oath to an accused person) }{\insrsid15300331 
judicial questioning of an accused person ceased, he could not be sworn as a witness and, in the event, was prevented from personally giving his version of events at his trial. This }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
was not a satisfactory state of affairs (as it led}{\insrsid15300331  not }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 only to doubtful convictions but also to unmerited}{\insrsid15300331  acq}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 uittals as defence cou}{
\insrsid15300331 nsel wa}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s able to sway the jury}{\insrsid15300331  by emphasising that had the law not sealed}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  the lips of the}{\insrsid15300331  accused he would b}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 e able to clear himself) so }{\insrsid15300331 it was partia}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 lly remedied by some judges who, as a}{\insrsid15300331  matter of practice, permitted accused persons to make unsworn statement}
{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s.}{\insrsid8743601  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 In January 1}{\insrsid15300331 8}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 04,}{\insrsid8743601  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 in }{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid15300331 
R. v. Francis Smith}{\insrsid15300331  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 (}{\insrsid15300331 ref}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 erred to in Kenny,}{\insrsid8743601  }{\insrsid15300331 Outline}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s of Criminal Law,}{
\insrsid8743601  }{\insrsid1004023 15th Edit}{\insrsid7090544 ion 117 as the case of the }{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid7090544 Hammersmith Ghost}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  and }{\insrsid1004023 more }{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 fully cons}{\insrsid1004023 idered by Professor Glanville W}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 illiams in }{\insrsid1004023 65 L.Q.}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 R. 491 }{\insrsid1004023 at 500 et seq.}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ) }{\insrsid1004023 the accused wa}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s permitted }{\insrsid1004023 by Chief Baron M}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 acdonald to make an unsworn statement at }{\insrsid1004023 his trial; and }
{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 writing in 1}{\insrsid1004023 883 Sir James S}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 t}{\insrsid1004023 ephen notes that it }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 has been his practice, and that of Cave J., to}{\insrsid1004023 
 allow }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 an accused person to make an unsworn statement }{\insrsid1004023 (Hi}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 story of the Crimi}{\insrsid7090544 nal Law}{\insrsid1004023  of England Vol. 1 at 440)}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 .}{\insrsid1004023  Indeed, in 1882 in }{\b\i\insrsid1004023\charrsid1004023 R. v. Shimmin}{\insrsid1004023 
 (15 Cox C.C. 123) Cave J. stated as a rule of practice, approved of by all the Judges of the High Court, that an accused person may make an unsworn statement at his trial whether he be defended by counsel or not. As to the value to be attribu
ted to an unsworn statement, Cave J. took the view that, while it was not made on oath and was not subject to cross-examination and was therefore not entitled to the same weight as sworn testimony, nevertheless it was entitled to such consideration as the
 jury might think it deserved.}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid1004023 
\par }{\insrsid3040512 This wa}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s the position in 1}{\insrsid3040512 8}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 9}{\insrsid3040512 8 when by Act of P}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 a}{\insrsid3040512 rlia}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ment criminal procedures were c}{\insrsid3040512 hang}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ed. }{\insrsid3040512 B}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 y virtue }{\insrsid275894 of s}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ection 1}{
\insrsid3040512  of the Criminal Evidence Act 18}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 9}{\insrsid3040512 8}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  an accused }{\insrsid3040512 person became a competent witness}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
 in his own defence; bu}{\insrsid3040512 t nevertheless }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 subsection h of section 1 specifically }{\insrsid3040512 preserved at his option }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 what had become the common law }{\insrsid2365161 
right of an accused person to make }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 an unsworn statement.}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid3040512 W}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 riting in 1953, Sir Carleton Allen states that }{\insrsid3040512 the}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 re can be no doubt that by 1}{\insrsid3040512 8}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 9}{\insrsid3040512 
8}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  an unsworn statement }{\insrsid3040512 was }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 treated as evidenced}{\insrsid3040512 ;}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  and he cites the case of}{\insrsid3040512  }{
\b\i\insrsid3040512\charrsid3040512 R. v. }{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid3040512 Florence }{\b\i\insrsid3040512\charrsid3040512 M}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid3040512 aybrick}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  in 1}{\insrsid3040512 88}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 9 (Famous Trials series,}{\insrsid3040512  Vol. }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 3) in which the unsworn statement of the accused at }{\insrsid3040512 he}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 r trial was treat}{\insrsid3040512 
ed as evidence of the greatest re}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 levance. A}{\insrsid12650551 nd Sir Carleton Allen observes }{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 It has never }{\insrsid3040512 bee}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 n }{
\insrsid3040512 questioned, so far as I am aware}{\insrsid12650551 , that (the accused}{\insrsid14099628 '}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s) }{\insrsid3040512 un}{\insrsid12650551 worn and untested statement is }{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid12650551 
evidence}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  which the}{\insrsid3040512  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 c}{\insrsid3040512 o}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 u}{\insrsid3040512 r}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 t is }{
\insrsid3040512 b}{\insrsid12650551 ound to consider}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  }{\insrsid3040512 (69 L.Q.R. 22 et seq.).}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid3040512\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 I might add that this observation related to }{\insrsid3040512 the position in England. The position varie}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 d in other }{\insrsid3040512 jurisdictions. }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
For example in the {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname PlaceName}}{\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname place}}Irish{\*\xmlclose} {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname PlaceType}}Republic{\*\xmlclose}{\*\xmlclose} and}{\insrsid3040512  in {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname 
country-region}}{\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname place}}South Africa{\*\xmlclose}{\*\xmlclose} }{\insrsid341186 an accused}{\insrsid14099628 '}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s unsworn statement }{\insrsid3040512 was}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  }{
\insrsid3040512 clearly treated as }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 evidence, whereas in some Australian }{\insrsid3040512 States it was not. }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 Commenting on subsection h of}{\insrsid2234620  section 1 of the C}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 riminal Evidence Act 189}{\insrsid2234620 8, and on an Australian }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 d}{\insrsid341186 ecision in 1951 that an accused}{\insrsid14099628 '}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s unsworn }{
\insrsid2234620 stateme}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 nt w}{\insrsid2234620 a}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s not evidence of the facts but merely his }{\insrsid2234620 explanation}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  of them and that unsworn statem
ents are }{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid2234620 some}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 thing less than evidence but something more than }{\insrsid2234620 mere }{\insrsid341186 argument}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 , Professor C}{
\insrsid341186 owan submits that }{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid2234620 this is an unsatisfactory conclusion. No}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  doubt it stems from a view }{\insrsid2234620 of evi}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 dence as }{
\ul\insrsid8743601\charrsid341186 sworn }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 evidence. Statements of the}{\insrsid2234620  chara}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 cter under review are neither sworn nor subject to }{\insrsid2234620 cross-}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 examination. However, there are special statutory}{\insrsid2234620  provi}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 sions for the admission of unsworn evidence which may }{\insrsid2234620 not be subject to cross-examination. Ca}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ses may arise,}{\insrsid2234620  for example, under the E}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 viden}{\insrsid341186 ce Act 193}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 8. It would seem}{\insrsid2234620  that the }{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 purpose of the subsection would be better}{\insrsid2234620  achieved }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 by allowing the statement to coo to the jury for}{\insrsid2234620  what }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
it is worth. To direct a jury that such a statement}{\insrsid2234620  is not }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 evidence serves only to confuse and really tends }{\insrsid2234620 to }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 defeat the object of allowing prison
ers to make}{\insrsid2234620  unsworn }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 statements}{\insrsid341186  }{\ul\insrsid8743601\charrsid341186 of fact}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 . }{\insrsid2234620 H}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
ow is a jury to understand }{\insrsid2234620 that it is to take }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 the statement for what it is worth, }{\insrsid2234620 if }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 it }{\insrsid2234620 told that it }{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 cannot regard it as evidence (i.e.}{\insrsid2234620  proof) of the facts }{\insrsid341186 alleged?}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid341186  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 (}{\insrsid2234620\charrsid2848242 68 L.Q.R. 463}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 ). }{\insrsid13327246\charrsid2848242 W}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 ith }{\insrsid13327246\charrsid2848242 respe}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 ct, I agree entirely with that comment. }{
\insrsid13327246\charrsid2848242 To describe an u}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 nsworn statement as something less than evidence but }{\insrsid13327246\charrsid2848242 more}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242  than argument is to enter the }{
\insrsid13327246\charrsid2848242 realm of metap}{\insrsid2848242 hysics, whe}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 re the rarefied air may sustain those of an academic }{\insrsid2848242 turn }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 of mind but is hardly suita}{
\insrsid2848242 ble for juries or ass}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 essors.
\par 
\par In England then, the position seemed clear, }{\insrsid2848242 but in 1962 in }{\b\i\insrsid2848242\charrsid2848242 Shankley v. Hodg}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 son}{\insrsid2848242  (C}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 rim.}{\insrsid2848242 
 L. R. 248) the Divi}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 sional Court held that an unsworn statement was not}{\insrsid2848242  eviden}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 ce. Commenti}{\insrsid2848242 ng on this decision Professor Glanville Will}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 iams says, with every justification, that it was}{\insrsid341186  }{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid2848242 app}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 ar}{\insrsid2848242 ently arrived at without an adeq}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 uate consideration }{\insrsid2848242 of the a}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 uthorities ... This seems to nullify the}{\insrsid2848242  provi}{\insrsid341186 sion in the Act of P}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 
arliament permitting the unsworn }{\insrsid2848242 statement to be made;}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242  and it turns the legal procedure into }{\insrsid2848242 a trap for }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 unwary d}{\insrsid2848242 
efendants, who thus have their test}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 imony rendered wort}{\insrsid341186 hless.}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid2848242  (The Proof of Guilt, 3rd }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid2848242 Edition 72).}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 

\par 
\par Fortunately t}{\insrsid2848242 he position was rectified in 196}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 4 }{\insrsid2848242 in }{\b\i\insrsid2848242 R. v. Frost & Hale}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  }{\insrsid2848242 (48 }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 Cr.}
{\insrsid2848242  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 App.}{\insrsid2848242  R}{\insrsid341186 . 28}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 4; The Times, April 9; }{\insrsid2848242 Crim. L. R. 461) }{\insrsid10448462 whe}{\insrsid341186 re the English}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  Court of Criminal Appeal, }{\insrsid10448462 the Lord }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 Justice presiding, delivered a decision }{\insrsid10448462 which adopted the historical approa}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
ch and which should}{\insrsid10448462  have }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 settled the matter once for all.}{\insrsid8743601  }{\insrsid10448462 It held that it was a misdirection to }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 in}{\insrsid10448462 
struct the jury that an accused}{\insrsid14099628 '}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 s}{\insrsid10448462  unsworn statement }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 was not evidence but merely comment; and }{\insrsid10448462 laid down that an }{\insrsid5603313 
unsworn statement }{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 is clearly not }{\insrsid10448462 evidence in the sense of sworn evidence that can be }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 cross}{\insrsid10448462 -examined to; on the other hand, it }{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 is evidence in the }{\insrsid10448462 sense that the jury can give to it }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 such weight as they }{\insrsid5603313 think fit.}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid5603313  And that }{\insrsid14099628 "
}{\insrsid10448462 it is quite clear today}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  that it has }{\insrsid10448462 become the practice and the proper practice for a judge not necess}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 arily to read out to }{\insrsid10448462 
the jury the statement made by the }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 prison}{\insrsid10448462 er from the dock, but to remind them of it, to tel}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 l them that it is not sworn }{\insrsid10448462 
evidence which can be cross-examined to, but that nevertheless they can attach to it such weight as they think fit, and should take it into consideration in deciding whether the prosecution have made out their case so that they feel s}{\insrsid5603313 
ure that the prisoner is guilty}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid10448462 .}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid10448462 
\par }{\insrsid12322721 As the learned authors of the Criminal Law Review state in a favourab}{\insrsid5603313 le commentary on this decision }{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid12322721 it is misleading to tell a jury that the statement is not evidence, for this s
uggests that they are not entitles to regard a fact as established merely because the prisoner, in his unsworn statement, states it to be so. In fact, if the jury think only that the statement might reasonably be true, they should act on it. In deciding w
hether it might reasonably be true, they must, of course, take account of the fact that the prisoner has declined to go into the witness box, take the oath a}{\insrsid5603313 nd submit to cross-examination.}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid5603313  }{
\insrsid12322721 ((1964) Crim. L. R. 462).
\par }{\insrsid12322721\charrsid16265131 
\par }{\insrsid9767382\charrsid16265131 Unfortunately, so far as England is concerned, that does not categorically dispose of the matter, in view of the decision in 1976 of a differently constituted Court of Criminal Appeal in }{
\b\i\insrsid9767382\charrsid16265131 R. v. Coughlan.}{\insrsid9767382\charrsid16265131  As briefly reported in the Criminal Law Review (at 629) this decision appears to be authority for the proposition that the potenti}{\insrsid16265131 
al effect of an unsworn statement is persuasive rather than evidential (whatever that may be intended to mean) and that it cannot prove facts not otherwise proved by the evidence. However a fuller report in The Times (J
uly 15, 1976) throws some doubt on whether it is an authority for such a proposition. In the first place, the Court does not appear to have directed its mind to the previous decision in }{\b\i\insrsid16265131 R. v. Frost & Hale}{\insrsid16265131 
 (supra); and in the second place, if I may be permitted to use a colloquialism, it hedges its bets by stating that the controversial question is reduced to a mere logomachy (that is to say a mere qui}{\insrsid1970546 
bble about words) and by falling back on the fact that, in the summing up appealed from, there occurred a pa
ssage which by implication reinstated the unsworn statement as having a possible evidential value. Whatever interpretation may be placed on this decision in England, I do not consider it of any relevance to Fiji.}{\insrsid12322721\charrsid16265131 
\par }{\insrsid12322721 
\par }{\insrsid1855832 In Fiji, an accused person not only has a 
statutory right to address the court on his own behalf, but has a separate and specific statutory right to make an unsworn statement conferred by either section 201(1) or section 275(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code as the case may be. Further, quite apa
rt from the common law position which I have outlined, statutory authority for treating the unsworn statement of an accused as evidence may be found in section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Code which provides that at a preliminary inquiry.}{
\insrsid1970546 
\par }{\insrsid1970546\charrsid16265131 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1855832 {\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid1855832 I}{\insrsid8743601 f}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  after exami
nation of the witnesses called on behalf of the prosecution, the court considers that on the evidence as it stands there are sufficient grounds for committing the accused for trial, the magistrate shall satisfy himself that the accused under}{
\insrsid1855832 stands the charge and shall ask}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  the accused whether he wishes to make a statement in his defence or not and, if he wishes to make a statement, whether he wishes to make }{\insrsid1855832 
it on oath, or not. The magistrate}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  shall also explain to the ac}{\insrsid1855832 cused that he is not bound to ma}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ke a statement and that his state}{\insrsid5603313 
ment, if he makes one, will be p}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 art of the }{\ul\insrsid8743601\charrsid5603313 evidence}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  at the trial.}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid1855832\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\ul\insrsid1855832\charrsid5603313 A }{\ul\insrsid8743601\charrsid5603313 fortiori}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  an unsworn statement made by }{\insrsid5603313 the accused at his t}{\insrsid1855832 r}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ial.
\par 
\par There is, I think,}{\insrsid1855832  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 good reason for these}{\insrsid1855832  sp}{\insrsid5603313 ecific }{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid1855832 statutory provisions. The laws of Fiji do not follow a}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 utomatically those of England, nor do the Courts of Fiji}{\insrsid1855832  fol}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 low blindly En}{\insrsid1855832 glish decisions althoug}{\insrsid11761932 h afforded the greatest respect. }{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 In order to do justice i}{\insrsid11761932 t}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  is necessary for the law to be interpreted and applied in the context }{\insrsid11761932 the country concerned, after taki}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 n}{\insrsid11761932 g}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  into account the }{\insrsid5603313 traditions, mores and }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 degree of sophistication of its }{\insrsid11761932 
inhabitants; and this is the }{\insrsid5603313 approach of the P}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 rivy Council, the }{\insrsid11761932 Fiji Court of Appeal and the }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 Supreme Court of Fiji.}{\insrsid11761932  Whatever 
the position may be in }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 other countries, in Fiji}{\insrsid11761932  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 there are many accused persons who prefer to make an }{\insrsid11761932 unsw}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
orn statement fo}{\insrsid4268056 r reasons which have nothing w}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 hatever to do }{\insrsid4268056 w}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ith the truth or falsity of the defence which they are putting forward; and this is a fact
or to be taken into consideration by the Legislature and by the Courts.}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid4268056\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 It is the usual practice in Fiji, and in my view the proper practice, for a judge when summing up to assessors to direct them on the following lines:-}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid4268056\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4268056 {\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid5603313 The accused did}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  not give sworn evidence}{\insrsid4268056 
 from the witness b}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ox which could be tested by cross-examination. Instead he made an unsworn statement from the dock, as he was entitled to do, and you may attach such weight to it as you think fit and should take it}{
\insrsid4268056  into consideration in deciding}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  whether th}{\insrsid4268056 e prosecution have proved his gu}{\insrsid5603313 ilt.}{\insrsid14099628 "}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
\par This has also been the approach of the magistrates, and rightly so. There is no magic in the ward evidence, which simply means something that furnishes or tends to furnish proof; the distinct
ion between sworn evidence subject to cross-examination and unsworn evidence not subject to cross-examination is one of weight; and the weight to be attached to any admissible evidence varies according to all the circumstances of the case.}{
\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid4268056\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 This Court }{\insrsid10561942 for the reasons given stands by its decisions in }{\b\i\insrsid10561942\charrsid10561942 R. v. Lenaitasi Vaka}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid10561942 tora }{\insrsid10561942 (supra), }{
\b\i\insrsid10561942\charrsid10561942 R}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid10561942 . v}{\b\i\insrsid10561942\charrsid10561942 . Gurmel Sing}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid10561942 h }{\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid11737069 (}{\insrsid10561942\charrsid11737069 s}{
\insrsid10561942 upra), and }{\b\i\insrsid10561942\charrsid10561942 R. v. Emori K}{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid10561942 il}{\b\i\insrsid10561942\charrsid10561942 aka}{\insrsid10561942  (supra); and reiterates that in so far as}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  the decision in }{\b\i\insrsid8743601\charrsid10561942 R. v. Coughlan}{\insrsid10561942  (supra}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 ) appears to conflict it should not he followed.}{\insrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid10561942\charrsid8743601 
\par }\pard \ql \li144\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin144\itap0\pararsid10561942 {\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 I would only add that, when an accused is}{\insrsid10561942  pl}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
aced on his defence and his statutory rights expl}{\insrsid10561942 ained him, I think it undesirable to go beyond the wording of section 20}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 1(1) or secti}{\insrsid10561942 on 275(2) of the Crimina}{
\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 l}{\insrsid10561942  }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 Procedure Cod}{\insrsid10561942 e as the case ma}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 y }{\insrsid10561942 be. Apparently}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
 in some courts it is the practice to also inform }{\insrsid10561942 h}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 im that, though}{\insrsid10561942  }{\insrsid13383543 he }{\insrsid10561942 is entirely free in the ma}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
tter, more weight may be }{\insrsid10561942 attached to his sworn tha}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 n to his unsworn evidenced}{\insrsid13383543 ;}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601  but }{\insrsid10561942 th}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
is is best omitted l}{\insrsid10561942 est it appear to influence his }{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 choice.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10561942 {\insrsid10561942 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10561942 {\b\insrsid10561942\charrsid10561942 (Clifford H. Grant)
\par Chief Justice
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8743601 {\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid10561942 Suva,}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 
\par }{\insrsid10561942 21}{\insrsid8743601\charrsid8743601 st January, 1977}{\insrsid11087364\charrsid8743601 
\par }}