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\linex0\headery360\footery360\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1 \pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\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 \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627335 \fs20\cf1\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 (WESTERN DIVISION)}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4940934\charrsid3627335 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6110882 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 AT LAUTOKA}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1078982 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8005857 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid6110882 Appellate Jurisdiction \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6110882 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627335 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 Civil Appeal No. 19 of 1979 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627335 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8005857 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8005857\charrsid8005857 BETWEEN}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8005857 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8005857 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8005857 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8005857 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 NARAYAN}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1078982 \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid6110882 s/o Yankanna \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627335 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 (Appellant) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627335 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627335 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 AND}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627335 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627335 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 RUKMANI}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1078982 \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid6110882 d/o Gopal \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid3627335 (Respondent) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14551014 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335 \par Messrs. Stuart, Reddy & {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname place}}Co.{\*\xmlclose} for the Appellant \par Respondent in person \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627335 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335\charrsid8005857 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14551014 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335 \par The appellant and respondent were married and had 5 children of the marriage. They were divorced and in 1973 a maintenance order was made in respect of the respondent and the children amounting to $30 per month. \par \par In 1975 there was an application by the respondent to increase the amount of maintenance resulting in a new order for maintenance amounting to $36 per month; $36 per month; $12 of which appears to have been for }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10376728 the respondent herself and the rest for the children.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3627335 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10376728 \par In July 1979 there were counter applications by the appellant and the respondent. The appellant sought a reduction in the amount of maintenance he should pay and the respondent sought an increase in the amount payable to her. \par \par It is an agreed fact that all the children of the marriage are at an age where maintenance is no longer payable for them so in fact the whole of the proceedings was concerned with the $12 per month maintenance then being paid to the respondent. \par \par Variation of maintenance order}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 s}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10376728 is covered by section 8(1) of the Maintenance and Affiliation Act 1971 which reads as follows:- \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10376728 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10376728 A magistrate having jurisdiction in the place in which an order under the provisions of this Part of this Act has been made may, upon the application of either spouse and upon cause be ing shown upon evidence of a change in circumstances not occasioned by the default or neglect of the applicant, to the satisfaction of the magistrate, at any time}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8005857 alter, vary or discharge and such order and may}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10376728 upon}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447572 any such application from time to time i ncrease or diminish the amount of any weekly payment order to be made.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10376728 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447572 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447572 \par It will be seen from the wording of this provision that a pre-requisite for varying a maintenance order is a change of circumstances in the parties, and it surely follows from this th at any variation must be made in the light of such change of circumstances. In respect of similar provision in the laws of England Wilmer LJ said in }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447572\charrsid9256831 Foster v Foster}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447572 (1964) 3 AER 541 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid13447572 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447572 Two things seem to emerge from that. The first is that the jurisdiction is a jurisdiction to vary and basically what the court has to do is to consider whether an order to vary should be made, and if so, by how much the order should be varied. Prima facie, it is not a jurisdiction to refix de novo the amount of maintenance. S econdly the court is specifically directed to take into consideration any increase or decrease in the means of either of the parties.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447572 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447572 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447572 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid82442 The law in {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname place}}{\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname country-region}}Fiji{\*\xmlclose}{\*\xmlclose} may not be quite so specific with regard to the second point, but it is a reasonable inference that a similar line of approach is necessary here.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13447572 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid82442 \par The main ground of appeal to this court is that instead of approaching the problem this way the magistrate really dealt with it as though deciding the question of maintenance de novo. There are some grounds for thi s argument. What the magistrate said at the beginning of the proceedings was }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid82442 I will first consider whether the Respondent (present appellant) should pay anything at all, then whether he should increase the present amount.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6110882 "}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid82442 This is not quite the same thing as taking the existing order and then in the light of the changed circumstances considering whether and to what extent it should be varied. \par \par In the event he ordered the appellant to pay $6 per week maintenance to the respondent for herself, the order in respect of the children lapsing. \par \par So in effect he doubled payment to the respondent, which can in no }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5447921 way reflect the change in }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5447921\charrsid9256831 each}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15147599 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9256831 s}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid82442 circumstances. So far as }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14576568 the respondent was concerned the only reason for increasing her maintenance was the rise in the co st of living. On the other hand in her favour was the fact that the children are all grown up and presumably will be helping her instead of vice versa, and the fact that she has let one of the rooms in the house given to her by the appellant for about $20 a month.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid82442 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14576568 \par The appellant}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15147599 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14576568 s position has already improved. For }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958 medical reasons he has}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14576568 obliged to leave his regular employment and cannot take similar employment. According to the appellant he hasn}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15147599 '}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14576568 t been able to take or get another job, but the magistrate wa s not very impressed with this evidence and seemed to think that the appellant has been exaggerating his difficulties for the purpose of these proceedings and could with a little effort find himself a worthwhile job. And of course he has been reli}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15147599 e}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14576568 ved of t he burden of paying maintenance for his children. That I think is a reasonable conclusion, but in the absence of rather more conclusive evidence of an increase in the appellant}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15147599 '}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14576568 s financial position I don}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15147599 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14576568 t think there can be any justification for doubling the amount to be paid to the respondent. I think there are no grounds for increasing }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958 the amount to be paid to the respondent, though I agree that there are no good grounds for reducing it. The appeal is therefore allowed to the extent that the original maintenance order to pay $3 per week to the respondent will r}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15147599 emain. Appellant to have costs -}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958 to be agreed or taxed.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14576568 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7034958 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5447921 (}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5447921\charrsid15147599 S}{ \b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958\charrsid7034958 gd.) G.O}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15147599 .}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958\charrsid7034958 L. Dyke}{ \b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958 \par JUDGE}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958\charrsid7034958 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13447572 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958 \par LAUTOKA, \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5447921 21st}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7034958 December, 1979. \par }}