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\li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16009269 \fs20\cf1\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid340924\charrsid16009269 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7561418 \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2387685 (WESTERN DIVISION)}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16603401 \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid340924\charrsid16009269 AT LAUTOKA \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662\charrsid7561418 Appellate}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid340924\charrsid7561418 Jurisdiction}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16009269\charrsid7561418 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16009269 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16009269\charrsid2387685 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16009269 Criminal Cas}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 e No. }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7561418 4}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 of 197}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid340924\charrsid6832715 9}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid340924 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 B}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16603401 ETWEEN}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662\charrsid8915662 NOOR MOHAMMED \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16603401 AND}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8261985 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7561418 SITAJ ALI \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662\charrsid7561418 s/o Kasin Hussain}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662\charrsid8915662 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662\charrsid16603401 &}{ \b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662\charrsid8915662 \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7561418 3 M AUSTRALIA PTY LTD}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662\charrsid8915662 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 Respondent}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7561418 s}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662\charrsid6832715 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6832715 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 Mr. Umarji Mohammed, Counsel for the Appellant}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid340924 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8915662 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662\charrsid8915662 JUDGMENT}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16603401 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16603401\charrsid8915662 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6832715 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 The record shows a rather extraordinary situations. The plaintiff claimed general damage}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16603401 s}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 not exceeding $200, special d amages of $219 in respect of an accident between his own car and a car driven by the first defendant and owned by the second defendant. At the first ap}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 pearance before the court on 5/7/}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8915662 78}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 there was only an affidavit of service in respect of the }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14552356 1st}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 defendant, and according to the record judgment was given against the }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14552356 1st}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 defendant in default of appearance.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid340924 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 \par On 12/9/78 there was proof of service on the }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14552356 2nd}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 defendant, and in absence of appearance the matter was adjoined for }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 formal proof}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 . If the plaintiff}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 s claim had been limited to a liquidated demand only then the plaintiff would have been entitled to have final judgment entered in his favour in accordance with Order VI rule 8 of the Magistrates}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 '} {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 Court Rules. \par \par In so far as the plaintiff also claimed general damages not exceeding $200 it seems that }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 O}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 . VI r. 8 was not open to the plaintiff and the court would have to proceed under }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 O}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 .XXX rule 3, and require formal proof of the plaintiff}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 s claim. It seems rather absurd that the plaintiff should be expected to prove that the }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8657584 1st}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 defendant was driving the vehicle and that the second defendant owned the vehicle particularly in view }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 of the fact that neither had}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 shown any intention of challenging those facts, and }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 also the fact that the court had}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 already given judgment against the }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8657584 1st}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 defendant so presumably had accepted that he was the driver of the car. Surely the real purpose of requiring}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 proof liquidated demands is }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986 so that the court has some basis for its own assessment of general damages.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7497255 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 The magistrate was rather prer}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986 emptory in dismissing the plaintiff}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 '}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986 s claim out of hand as he did. To make matters more absurd he did nothing about the judgment he had already given against the }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8657584 1st}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986 defendant, which seems to contradict his own findings. \par \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986\charrsid344533 In a ny case I note that in his evidence the plaintiff only asked for $219 as special damages. If that meant that he was not pressing his claim for general damages there was no reason why the magistrate should not have given judgment by default under }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 O}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986\charrsid344533 .VI r.8. In fact the magistrate could and should have considered the special damages and general damages separately and}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986 confined his dismissal of the plaintiff}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9599468 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986 s claim to the general damages. \par \par I therefore set aside the judgment of the magistrate and give judgment for the plaintiff against the }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8657584 2nd}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986 defendant for $219 special damages and costs. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4207193 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986\charrsid8861986 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8861986 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986\charrsid8861986 (Sgd.) G.O.L. Dyke \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4207193 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986\charrsid8861986 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8657584 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8657584\charrsid8657584 LAUTOKA, \par 6th July, 1979. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6885700 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8657584 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8657584 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986\charrsid12608495 Messrs. U. Mohammed & Co., for the Appellant \par Date of Hearing:}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8657584\charrsid12608495 26}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid8657584\charrsid15753180 th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid15753180 }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861986\charrsid12608495 March, 1979. \par }}