{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}
{\f175\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 00000000000000000000}CG Omega;}{\f176\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f177\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f179\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}
{\f180\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f181\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f182\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f183\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}
{\f184\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;
\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*
\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1
\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 Body Text;}{\s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 
\fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 \styrsid5135369 footer;}{\*\cs17 \additive \sbasedon10 \styrsid5135369 page number;}}{\*\listtable{\list\listtemplateid-981293580\listhybrid{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4
\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid-343229812\'03(\'00);}{\levelnumbers\'02;}\loch\af175\hich\af175\dbch\af0\fbias0 \fi-720\li2880\jclisttab\tx2880\lin2880 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4
\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713\'02\'01.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li3240\jclisttab\tx3240\lin3240 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0
\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'02.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li3960\jclisttab\tx3960\lin3960 }{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0
{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698703\'02\'03.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li4680\jclisttab\tx4680\lin4680 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713
\'02\'04.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li5400\jclisttab\tx5400\lin5400 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'05.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li6120
\jclisttab\tx6120\lin6120 }{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698703\'02\'06.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li6840\jclisttab\tx6840\lin6840 }{\listlevel
\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713\'02\'07.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li7560\jclisttab\tx7560\lin7560 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2
\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'08.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li8280\jclisttab\tx8280\lin8280 }{\listname ;}\listid1846900193}}{\*\listoverridetable{\listoverride\listid1846900193
\listoverridecount0\ls1}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid1867750\rsid2163962\rsid2504170\rsid2514224\rsid3950907\rsid4157482\rsid5135369\rsid5340301\rsid5850030\rsid7352959\rsid7554182\rsid7760078\rsid8415088\rsid8849725\rsid10230543\rsid11686936\rsid11689113
\rsid12862865\rsid14485140\rsid15535827\rsid15693746\rsid16516708\rsid16738342}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6775;}{\info
{\title At the end of the hearing the Court announced that the petition would be dismissed and that reasons would be given in writing in due course}{\author GAULTTH}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2006\mo5\dy29\hr11\min13}
{\revtim\yr2006\mo5\dy29\hr11\min13}{\printim\yr2005\mo10\dy13\hr11\min48}{\version2}{\edmins4}{\nofpages4}{\nofwords1315}{\nofchars7497}{\*\company Department for Courts}{\nofcharsws8795}{\vern16391}}
\paperw11906\paperh16838\margl1440\margr1440\margb1354 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow0
\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot8415088 \fet0{\*\docvar {dgnword-docGUID}{\'7bC36E9654-6B5E-4B3D-88E8-9D883EDEC109\'7d}}{\*\docvar {dgnword-eventsink}{42570944}}\sectd 
\linex0\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid5135369\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5135369 
\fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs17\insrsid12862865 PAGE  }}{\fldrslt {\cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid16738342 4}}}{\cs17\insrsid12862865 
\par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12862865 
\par }}{\*\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\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 
\fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI ISLANDS
\par AT SUVA
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. CAV0004 of 2004S
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 ( }{\fs24\insrsid15535827\charrsid16738342 Fiji}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid15535827\charrsid16738342 
Court}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid15535827\charrsid16738342 of Appeal No. AAU}{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 00}{\fs24\insrsid2163962\charrsid16738342 18}{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342  of 200}{
\fs24\insrsid2163962\charrsid16738342 4}{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 S)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid15535827\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 BETWEEN:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 LASARUSA RAKULA
\par }{\fs24\insrsid7352959\charrsid16738342 Petitioner}{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 AND:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 THE STATE
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 
\par Coram:}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 The Rt Hon Justice Thomas Gault, Judge of Supreme Court}{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 The Hon Justice Robert French, Judge of Supreme Court}{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 
\par The Hon Justice Kenneth Handley, Judge of Supreme Court
\par }{\fs24\insrsid7352959\charrsid16738342 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 Hearing:}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 Tuesday, }{\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 11 October}{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342  2005, Suva
\par }{\fs24\insrsid7352959\charrsid16738342 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 Counsel:}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid12862865\charrsid16738342 Petitioner}{\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342  in Person}{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 
\par Mr }{\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 R. Gibson}{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342  for the Respondent
\par }{\fs24\insrsid7352959\charrsid16738342 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid16738342 Date of }{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 Judgment}{\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 :}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid15535827\charrsid16738342 Friday,}{\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342  }{
\fs24\insrsid15535827\charrsid16738342 21}{\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342  October}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 2005, Suva
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\fs24\insrsid15535827\charrsid16738342 REASONS FOR}{\b\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342  JUDGMENT }{\b\fs24\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 ON PETIT
}{\b\fs24\insrsid12862865\charrsid16738342 I}{\b\fs24\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 ON FOR SPECIAL LEAVE TO APPEAL}{\b\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid15693746\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [1]\tab }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
At the end of the hearing the Court announced that the petition would be dismissed and that reasons would be given in writing in due course.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Those reasons are now given.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [2]\tab }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The petitioner was tried and convicted in t}{
\fs24\insrsid16738342 he Magistrates Court in Lautoka,}{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  on three charges.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The first was of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{
\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The other two counts were of robbery with violence.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 All arose out of the same incident.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The charges were directed to the preparation for and carrying out of a bank robbery.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The appellant was sentenced to imprisonment for six months on the vehicle charge, four years concurrent i
n respect of the first robbery offence and three years consecutive in respect of the second robbery offence.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The total sentence therefore was of imprisonment for seven years.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [3]\tab }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The petitioner seeks special leave to appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 26 November 2004.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
That Court dismissed the petitioner's appeal from the judgment of the High Court which upheld the convictions but varied the sentences by increasing that for each of the robbery offences to five years but directin
g that they should be served concurrently with the sentence for unlawfully using a motor vehicle.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [4]\tab }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The evidence established that the vehicle used in the robbery was taken from the backyard of the owner who tried to stop the two people involved.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 This w
as observed by another witness to whom one of the offenders was speaking when the incident began.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [5]\tab }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
At the trial the vehicle owner did not definitely identify the petitioner.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 She was clear that the person who prevented her intervention was not either o
f the other two co-accused but, though not sure, she thought it might have been the petitioner.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The other witness was quite clear.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{
\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 He positively identified the petitioner }{\fs24\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 when }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 in the dock with the two co-accused as the person he had talked with and who r
estrained the vehicle owner before entering the passenger seat of the vehicle as it made off.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [6]\tab }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The evidence also established that following the robbery, the petitioner}{\fs24\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 purchased gin, and drank through the night.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{
\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 He had in a purse banknotes of different large denominations and gave a driver and his partner each $200.}{\fs24\insrsid16738342  }{\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 He was at the time unemployed.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\fs24\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [7]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
At the trial the petitioner was represented by counsel.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 He elected not to give or call evidence.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [8]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 On appeal to the High Court the petitioner was rep
resented by the same counsel who had acted for him at the trial.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 According to that Court\rquote s judgment, two grounds of appeal were argued.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The first was that there was insufficient evidence of the petitioner's part in the robbery and the second was that the trial Magistrate erred in relying upon the absence of explanation for the petitioner's possession of the money.}{\insrsid16738342  }{
\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [9]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Before the Court of Appeal, the petitioner represented himself.}{
\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 He raised a number of grounds of appeal.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 On analysis they can be distilled into three grounds.}{\insrsid16738342  }{
\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The first was that the evidence was not sufficient to justify the conviction.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The second was that there was evidence of alibi not given by the petitioner and his witnesses that reasonably could have led to acquittal.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 This was sa
id to be attributable to the incompetence of his trial counsel and to have resulted in an unfair trial.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The third was that mistreatment of the petitioner }{\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 
by the police }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 prior to trial led to a miscarriage of justice.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [10]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 In its judgment the Court of Appe
al referred to lengthy grounds of appeal all of which related to matters of fact or of fact and law and which were not within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal as confined by }{\b\i\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 section 22}{
\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  of the }{\b\i\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Court of}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  }{\b\i\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Appeal Act}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 .}{\insrsid16738342  }{
\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 That provision expressly limits appeals from the High Court in its appellate jurisdiction to questions of law only.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [11]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The Court of Appeal went on to deal with the claim of incompetence of trial counsel.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The Court noted that this point had not previously been raised and that the same co
unsel acted on the appeal to the High Court as had conducted the trial.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The Court referred also to the absence of any evidential foundation for the complaints.}{\insrsid16738342  }{
\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Citing }{\b\i\ul\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Ensor v}{\b\i\ul\insrsid4157482\charrsid16738342 .}{\b\i\ul\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  R}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
 [1989] 89 Cr App R, it said that an appellate court will only interfere with
 a conviction on the ground that counsel has not conducted the case properly if it is satisfied that the manner in which it was conducted amounted to flagrant incompetence or in any other way was such that there had been a miscarriage of justice.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [12]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The
 Court referred to the petitioner's request to adduce further evidence on appeal.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The proposed evidence was not before the Court but, in any event, it held that having been reasonably available at the time of the trial it did not qualify as fresh evidence to be admitted on appeal
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [13]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The Court of Appeal also referred to a claim by the petitioner of assault by the police before he was interviewed.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
This was held to be irrelevant in that no evidence had been led at the trial of any statements said to have been made by him to the police.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [14]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
This Court can have no wider jurisdiction than the Court appealed from and therefore is confined to questions of law.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 In addition, }{\b\i\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 section 7(2)}{
\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  of the }{\b\i\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Supreme Court Act 1998}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  provides:
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li1440\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin1440\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\i\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 \'937(2)\tab In relation to a criminal 
matter, the Supreme Court must not grant special leave to appeal unless \endash 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\i\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \b\i\f175\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 \hich\af175\dbch\af0\loch\f175 (a)\tab}}\pard 
\s15\ql \fi-720\li2880\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin720\lin2880\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\i\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 a question of general legal importance is involved;
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\i\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \b\i\f175\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 \hich\af175\dbch\af0\loch\f175 (b)\tab}}\pard 
\s15\ql \fi-720\li2880\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin720\lin2880\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\i\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 a substantial question of principle affecting the administration of criminal justice is involved; or

\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\i\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \b\i\f175\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 \hich\af175\dbch\af0\loch\f175 (c)\tab}}\pard 
\s15\ql \fi-720\li2880\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin720\lin2880\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\i\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 substantial and grave injustice may otherwise occur.\'94
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\i\insrsid14485140\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [15]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
In his petition to this Court, the petitioner set out seven issues which he sought to rely}{\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342  up}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 on.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
He supported these in his written submissions and in oral argument under three heads.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 They were essentially that, because of the advice and conduct of his trial }{\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 c}{
\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 oun}{\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 se}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
l, the trial was unfair and his case was not fairly presented; that the Court of Appeal erred in denying him the opportunity to present fresh evidence, and that his mistreatment by the police should not have bee
n regarded as irrelevant since, he claimed, involuntary statements he made to the police were used in the investigation to obtain further evidence used against him at his trial.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid12862865\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [16]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
There has not been presented to this Court any affidavit or other outline of further evidence that would have been given.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Nor is there before the Court any evidence supporting the claims of counsel }{
\insrsid12862865\charrsid16738342 incompetence}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  or of mistreatment of the petitioner by the police.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 These are factual matters in any event and could not be consid
ered on a final appeal.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [17]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
Accordingly we are satisfied that no question of law is raised and certainly no question of general legal importance or of principle that warrants the grant of special leave to appeal.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Nor }{
\insrsid12862865\charrsid16738342 do}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 we }{\insrsid12862865\charrsid16738342 find any}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  grave injustice in this case.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [18]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Three matters are worthy of comment.}{\insrsid16738342  }{
\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 The first is that while we agree with the Court of Appeal that insufficiency of evidence is not a question of law, there may be a question of law where it is conten}{\insrsid12862865\charrsid16738342 
ded that there is no evidence of}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  an element of the alleged offence.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
It was the former that was expressly advanced before the High Court and we are satisfied that in rejecting it the judge made no error of law.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [19]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The second point relates to complaints on appeal of errors by or incompetence of trial counsel.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 In other, common law jurisdictions there has been a trend away from the use of tests such as of }{
\b\i\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 \'93flagrant incompetence\'94}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  in recent years.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
The focus has been rather on the impact of any trial irregularity on the outcome rather than on the performance of counsel.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 Recent authorities are cited in }{\b\i\ul\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
Sangsuwan v}{\b\i\ul\insrsid4157482\charrsid16738342 .}{\b\i\ul\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  The Queen}{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342  [2005]}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 NZSC 57.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 [20]\tab }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
Thirdly, we are inclined to the view that the judgment of the Court of Appeal might have defined that Court\rquote s jurisdiction more narrowly than is appropriate.}{\insrsid16738342  }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
On appeal from the decision of a judge sitting }{\insrsid11686936\charrsid16738342 in }{\insrsid7760078\charrsid16738342 
the High Court's appellate jurisdiction there may be cases in which, in the interests of justice, a point of law not raised in the initial appeal should be considered.
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 Rt}{\b\insrsid16738342  }{\b\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 Hon Justice Thomas Gault
\par }{\b\ul\insrsid16516708\charrsid16738342 Judge of Supreme Court
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid12862865\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 Hon Justice Robert French
\par }{\b\ul\insrsid4157482\charrsid16738342 Judge of Supreme Court}{\b\ul\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\ul\insrsid4157482\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\b\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 Hon. Justice Kenneth Handley
\par }{\b\ul\insrsid4157482\charrsid16738342 Judge of Supreme Court}{\b\ul\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 
\par }{\b\ul\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 Solicitors:
\par }{\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 
\par }{\insrsid7352959\charrsid16738342 Petitioner}{\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342  in Person
\par Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Suva for the Respondent
\par }\pard \s15\qr \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16738342 {\insrsid3950907\charrsid16738342 CAV0004.04S
\par }}