{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};} {\f37\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f38\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f40\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};} {\f41\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f42\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f43\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};} {\f44\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f45\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}}{\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 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\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;}}{\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid27918\rsid290362 \rsid1206504\rsid1251052\rsid1517589\rsid1653879\rsid2568802\rsid2759147\rsid2825178\rsid3159056\rsid3681411\rsid3884658\rsid4682332\rsid4739039\rsid6250328\rsid7152658\rsid7875556\rsid8678126\rsid8744668\rsid9072718\rsid10617838\rsid10959159\rsid11039555 \rsid11690782\rsid11939488\rsid12021690\rsid12418224\rsid12600788\rsid12653685\rsid13314626\rsid14186455\rsid14691046\rsid15148994\rsid15424568\rsid15689255\rsid16060549\rsid16396003\rsid16476158}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info {\title /srv/samba/hardcopy/HARDCOPY JUDGMENT/03 Publishing/01 Macro//01 Incoming/2008-02-29 SC CAV0006.2006S Mototabua v The State.rtf}{\author sam_f}{\doccomm written by /usr/local/bin/process-documents.pl [Perl RTF::Writer v1.11]} {\operator maltungtung_l}{\creatim\yr2010\mo6\dy21\hr13\min56}{\revtim\yr2010\mo7\dy8\hr21\min30}{\version34}{\edmins151}{\nofpages4}{\nofwords1276}{\nofchars6333}{\*\company scims}{\nofcharsws7560}{\vern24689}} \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3\jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale100\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot11939488 \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid3884658 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid3884658 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid3884658 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid3884658 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid11690782 \chpgn \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\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11939488 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid11690782\charrsid11939488 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE FIJI ISLANDS \par AT SUVA \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4739039 {\insrsid11939488 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11939488 {\insrsid11690782 CRIMI}{\insrsid11939488 NAL APPEAL NO. CAV0006 OF 2006S \par }{\insrsid11690782 (Fiji Court of Appeal No.}{\insrsid11939488 }{\insrsid11690782 AAU}{\insrsid11939488 00 }{\insrsid11690782 21}{\insrsid11939488 }{\insrsid11690782 of 2006S) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4739039 {\insrsid11939488 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11939488 {\insrsid11690782 BETWEEN: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4739039 {\insrsid11939488 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11939488 {\b\insrsid11690782\charrsid11939488 ELIKI MOTOTABUA \par }{\insrsid11690782 Petitioner \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4739039 {\insrsid11939488 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11939488 {\insrsid11690782 AND: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4739039 {\insrsid11939488 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11939488 {\b\insrsid11690782\charrsid11939488 THE STATE \par }{\insrsid11690782 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11939488 \par Cora}{\insrsid13314626 m}{\insrsid11939488 : }{\insrsid11690782 The Hon Justice Keith Ma}{\insrsid13314626 son, Judge of the Supreme Court \par }{\insrsid11690782 The Hon}{\insrsid13314626 }{\insrsid11690782 Justice Robert Fre}{\insrsid13314626 nch, Judge of the Supreme Court \par }{\insrsid11690782 The Hon Justice Mark}{\insrsid13314626 }{\insrsid11690782 Weinberg, Judge of the Supreme Court \par }{\insrsid13314626 \par Hearing: }{\insrsid11690782 Tuesday, 26}{\super\insrsid13314626\charrsid13314626 th}{\insrsid13314626 }{\insrsid11690782 February 2008, Suva \par }{\insrsid13314626 \par Counsel: }{\insrsid11690782 Petitioner in Person \par A Driu for the Respondent \par }{\insrsid13314626 \par Date of Judgment: Friday, 29}{\super\insrsid13314626\charrsid13314626 th}{\insrsid11690782 February 2008, Suva \par }{\insrsid13314626 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13314626 {\b\insrsid11690782\charrsid13314626 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid13314626 \par }{\insrsid3681411 [1] }{\insrsid11690782 The petitioner appeared in the Magistrates}{\insrsid6250328 '}{\insrsid11690782 Court on 4 February 2003 on}{\insrsid4682332 }{\insrsid11690782 two counts}{\insrsid15424568 }{\insrsid11690782 of being found in possession of dangerous drugs. He entered pleas of not}{\insrsid4682332 guilty}{\insrsid11690782 .}{\insrsid4682332 }{\insrsid11690782 Between that date and 6 July 2004 there were six mention dates and four}{\insrsid4682332 hearing }{ \insrsid11690782 dates that were adjourned. Delays were caused by various factors,}{\insrsid4682332 in}{\insrsid11690782 cluding non}{\insrsid4682332 -}{\insrsid11690782 appearance of prosecution witnesses, unavailability of a}{\insrsid4682332 }{ \insrsid11690782 Magistrate, a prosecutor being on leave and an injury to the petitioner. \par }{\insrsid4682332 \par }{\insrsid1206504 [2] }{\insrsid15424568 On 6}{\insrsid11690782 July 2004 the petitioner applied for a stay on the ground of}{\insrsid10617838 }{\insrsid11690782 unreasonable delay. This was refused in a reserved decision delivered on}{\insrsid10617838 }{\insrsid11690782 1 September 2004. The learned Magistrate found that the delay had not}{\insrsid10617838 }{\insrsid11690782 been unreasonable in all the circumstances, and that there was nothing}{\insrsid10617838 }{\insrsid11690782 to show that the petitioner had suffered any prejudice. \par }{\insrsid10617838 \par }{\insrsid3681411 [3] }{\insrsid11690782 The petitioner then applied for the Magistrate to disqualify herself}{\insrsid3681411 }{\insrsid11690782 from hearing the case. This application was refused with reasons}{\insrsid3681411 }{\insrsid11690782 provided on 15 October 2004. \par }{\insrsid3681411 \par [4] }{\insrsid11690782 Subsequently, steps were taken to bring the criminal trial to a}{\insrsid3681411 }{\insrsid11690782 state of readiness. The reason why it has not yet been heard appears to}{\insrsid3681411 }{\insrsid11690782 be the pendency of the appellate litigation referred to below. \par }{\insrsid3681411 \par [5] }{\insrsid11690782 The petitioner sought to appeal to the High Court against both}{\insrsid16060549 }{\insrsid11690782 decisions of the Magistrate. By letters to the Chief Registrar in}{\insrsid16060549 October and November 2005 he }{ \insrsid11690782 elaborated on his grounds of appeal. He}{\insrsid16060549 }{\insrsid11690782 raised }{\insrsid16060549 s.29 (}{\insrsid11690782 3) of the }{\ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid16060549 Constitution}{\insrsid11690782 in support of his appeal against the}{\insrsid16060549 }{\insrsid11690782 refusal of a stay. \par }{\insrsid16060549 \par }{\insrsid1653879 [6] }{\insrsid11690782 Both matters were listed for hearing before Winter}{\insrsid1653879 J }{\insrsid11690782 on 23 January}{\insrsid1653879 }{\insrsid11690782 2006}{\insrsid1653879 . }{\insrsid11690782 In an extempore ruling his Lordship held that the High Court}{\insrsid1653879 }{\insrsid11690782 lacked jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. He held that neither an}{\insrsid1653879 }{\insrsid11690782 application for stay nor an application to recuse resulted in }{\insrsid6250328 "}{\insrsid11690782 orders}{\insrsid6250328 "}{\insrsid1653879 }{\insrsid11690782 within }{\insrsid1653879 s}{\insrsid11690782 .308 of the }{ \ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid1653879 Criminal Procedure Code}{\insrsid11690782 . Such orders were merely}{\insrsid1653879 }{\insrsid11690782 interlocutory. \par }{\insrsid1653879 \par }{\insrsid14186455 [7] }{\insrsid11690782 Having ruled that he did not have jurisdiction to entertain the}{\insrsid14186455 }{\insrsid11690782 appeal in either of its limbs, }{\insrsid8744668 Winters }{\insrsid15148994 J }{\insrsid8744668 referred}{ \insrsid11690782 the file back to the}{\insrsid8744668 }{\insrsid11690782 Magistrates Court for determinat}{\insrsid8678126 ion of}{\insrsid11690782 the}{\insrsid8744668 substantive matter at the earliest opportunity}{\insrsid11690782 . \par \par }{\insrsid8744668 [8] }{\insrsid11690782 The petitioner obtained leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal}{\insrsid10959159 }{\insrsid11690782 limited to the point of law whether the High Court was competent to hear}{\insrsid10959159 the appeal. \par \par [9] On 14 July 2006}{\insrsid11690782 , with the respondent having conceded the appeal, the}{\insrsid10959159 }{\insrsid11690782 appeal was allowed. The Court of Appeal directed the High Court to hear}{\insrsid10959159 on the merits the }{ \insrsid11690782 petitioner}{\insrsid6250328 '}{\insrsid11690782 s appeal against the decision of the}{\insrsid10959159 }{\insrsid11690782 Magistrate of 15 October 2004 in refusing to disqualify herself. \par }{\insrsid10959159 \par [10] }{\insrsid11690782 The Court of Appeal recognized that the petitioner was also}{\insrsid10959159 }{\insrsid11690782 pressing it to dismiss}{\insrsid290362 }{\insrsid11690782 the ent}{\insrsid10959159 ire }{\insrsid11690782 proceedings because of delay. }{\insrsid6250328 It declined to do so, for the following reasons (at [17] - [20]):}{\insrsid11690782 \par }{\insrsid10959159 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15424568 {\b\i\insrsid6250328 "}{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 The judge of the High Court considered that there was no right of}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 }{ \b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 appeal against the Magistrate}{\b\i\insrsid6250328 '}{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 s refusal to stay on the grounds of delay}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 for the same reason as he considered there was no right for appeal}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 against her failure to recuse herself. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15424568 {\b\i\insrsid10959159\charrsid1251052 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15424568 {\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 Technically, on the liberal }{\b\i\ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 Bokini}{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 view we have taken on the right of}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 interlocutory appeal, there would be a right of appeal to the High Court}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 from the }{ \b\i\insrsid16396003\charrsid1251052 Magistrate}{\b\i\insrsid6250328 '}{\b\i\insrsid16396003\charrsid1251052 s}{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 decision not to grant a stay on the grounds of}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 }{ \b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 delay. However, the High Court Judge would have to disallow the appeal}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 because the subject matter was constitutional redress. Application for}{ \b\i\insrsid15424568 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 such redress even in a criminal matter, has to be made to the High Court}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 in its special constitutional jurisdiction. See }{ \b\i\ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid15424568 Sin}{\b\i\ul\insrsid16396003\charrsid15424568 gh }{\b\i\ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid15424568 v. Director of}{\b\i\ul\insrsid1251052\charrsid15424568 }{\b\i\ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid15424568 Public Prosecutions}{ \b\i\insrsid16396003 ,}{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 a decision of}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 this Court of 16 July 2004 (AA}{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 U0037}{\b\i\insrsid16396003 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 of 20}{ \b\i\insrsid16396003 03S}{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 ). \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15424568 {\b\i\insrsid10959159\charrsid1251052 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid27918 {\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 The appellant would have two choices. He can apply to the High Court for}{\b\i\insrsid10959159\charrsid1251052 }{ \b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 constitutional relief based on alleged delay under the special}{\b\i\insrsid10959159\charrsid1251052 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 procedure. Alternatively, if convicted, he can include excessive delay}{ \b\i\insrsid10959159\charrsid1251052 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 as a ground of appeal against conviction.}{\b\i\insrsid15424568 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15424568 {\b\i\insrsid15424568 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid27918 {\b\i\insrsid10959159\charrsid1251052 The appeal is allowed. }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 The High Court is directed to hear on the merits,}{ \b\i\insrsid10959159\charrsid1251052 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 the appellant}{\b\i\insrsid6250328 '}{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 s appeal against the decision of the Magistrate of 15}{\b\i\insrsid10959159\charrsid1251052 }{ \b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 October 2004 refusing to disqualify herself. The High Court has}{\b\i\insrsid10959159\charrsid1251052 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 jurisdiction to hear the appeal against refusal to stay, but cannot give}{ \b\i\insrsid27918 }{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 relief for the reasons given above.}{\b\i\insrsid6250328 "}{\b\i\insrsid11690782\charrsid1251052 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid10959159 \par }{\insrsid11690782 [11}{\insrsid12021690 ]}{\insrsid11690782 The petition for special leave to appeal to this Court challenges}{\insrsid12021690 }{\insrsid11690782 the Court of Appeal}{\insrsid6250328 '}{\insrsid11690782 s refusal to stay the ent}{ \insrsid12021690 ire }{\insrsid11690782 proceedings, in essence}{\insrsid12021690 }{\insrsid11690782 because of breach of the constitutional right to have the criminal case}{\insrsid12021690 }{\insrsid11690782 determined w}{\insrsid12021690 ith a reasonable time (Constitu}{\insrsid11690782 tion, s.29(3)). \par }{\insrsid12021690 \par [12] }{\insrsid11690782 The petitioner seeks to argue that the orders of the Supreme Court}{\insrsid12021690 }{\insrsid11690782 breached his constitutional rights to a fair trial brought on within a}{\insrsid12021690 }{\insrsid11690782 reasonable time. \par }{\insrsid12021690 \par [13] }{\insrsid11690782 In our opinion, the petitioner has misconceived the intent of the}{\insrsid12653685 }{\insrsid11690782 orders of the Court of Appeal and that Court}{\insrsid6250328 '}{\insrsid11690782 s reasoning with regard to this issue. Those} {\insrsid12653685 }{\insrsid11690782 orders kept alive the petitioner}{\insrsid6250328 '}{\insrsid11690782 s right, if so advised, to move the}{\insrsid12653685 }{\insrsid11690782 High Court in its special constitutional jurisdiction for a stay based}{ \insrsid12653685 }{\insrsid11690782 upon unreasonable delay. Alternatively the petitioner was informed that}{\insrsid12653685 }{\insrsid11690782 he could, if convicted in the Magistrates Court, include excessive delay}{\insrsid3884658 }{ \insrsid11690782 as a ground of appeal against conviction. Since the Court of Appeal was}{\insrsid12653685 }{\insrsid11690782 not seized of an appeal on the merits of the delay issue it is}{\insrsid12653685 }{\insrsid11690782 un derstandable why it did not address them. \par }{\insrsid12653685 \par [14] }{\insrsid11690782 We see no error in this reasoning and no matter attracting the}{\insrsid14691046 grant }{\insrsid11690782 of special leave. \par }{\insrsid14691046 \par [15] }{\insrsid11690782 The petitioner}{\insrsid6250328 '}{\insrsid11690782 s appeal to the Court of Appeal was limited to}{\insrsid11039555 }{\insrsid11690782 challenging the jurisdictional ruling of Winter J. This was the extent}{\insrsid11039555 of the leave granted.}{\insrsid11690782 Appropriately so, because the petitioner himself}{\insrsid11039555 }{\insrsid11690782 was complaining that the High Court had wrongly declined to entertain}{\insrsid11039555 }{\insrsid11690782 his appeal against the rulings of the Magistrate refusing a stay and}{\insrsid290362 }{\insrsid2568802 refusing to recus}{\insrsid11690782 e herself for the trial. \par }{\insrsid11039555 \par }{\insrsid2568802 [16] }{\insrsid11690782 The State has informed the Court that, following the orders of the}{\insrsid2568802 }{\insrsid11690782 Court of Appeal, the matter came on before Winter J. We were informed}{\insrsid2568802 that Winter J}{ \insrsid11690782 refused an application that he be recused from hearing any}{\insrsid1517589 }{\insrsid11690782 matter involving the petitioner and}{\insrsid1517589 }{\insrsid11690782 that his Lordship offered to embark upon the hearing of a High Court }{\insrsid1517589 }{\insrsid11690782 application for relief based on constitutional grounds referable to the}{\insrsid1517589 }{\insrsid11690782 petitioner}{\insrsid6250328 '}{\insrsid11690782 s claim of unreasonable delay. We were informed that the}{ \insrsid1517589 }{\insrsid11690782 petitioner declined this offer. \par }{\insrsid1517589 \par [17] }{\insrsid11690782 If this accurately summarises what happened before Winter}{\insrsid1517589 J}{\insrsid3884658 ,}{\insrsid1517589 }{\insrsid11690782 it may}{\insrsid1517589 }{\insrsid11690782 have the consequence that the petitioner has, by his own actions,}{\insrsid1517589 }{\insrsid11690782 precluded the High Court from hearing and determining an application for}{\insrsid1517589 }{\insrsid2825178 constitutionally -}{\insrsid11690782 bas ed relief, or at least made it likely that such}{\insrsid12418224 }{\insrsid11690782 application (if pursued) would be refused on discretionary grounds. \par }{\insrsid12418224 \par }{\insrsid12600788 [18] }{\insrsid11690782 Be this as it may, we are only concerned with the question whether}{\insrsid12600788 }{\insrsid11690782 to grant special leave to appeal against the orders of the Court of}{\insrsid12600788 }{\insrsid11690782 Appeal. These orders are contained in the first two sentences of the}{\insrsid12600788 }{\insrsid11690782 last paragraph of the passage extracted at [}{\insrsid12600788 10}{\insrsid11690782 ] above. \par }{\insrsid12600788 \par [19] }{\insrsid11690782 Special leave is refuse}{\insrsid12600788 d and the petition is dismissed.}{\insrsid11690782 \par }{\insrsid12600788 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12600788 {\b\insrsid12600788 Hon Justice Keith Mason \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid3884658 Judge of the Supreme Court \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3884658 {\b\insrsid12600788\charrsid12600788 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12600788 {\b\insrsid12600788 Hon Justice Robert French \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid3884658 Jud}{\b\ul\insrsid12600788\charrsid3884658 ge }{\b\ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid3884658 of the Supreme Court \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3884658 {\b\insrsid12600788\charrsid12600788 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12600788 {\b\insrsid12600788\charrsid12600788 Hon Justice Weinberg}{\b\insrsid12600788 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11690782\charrsid3884658 Judge of the Supreme Court \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12600788 \par }{\b\insrsid11690782\charrsid12600788 Solicitors}{\b\insrsid15689255 :}{\b\insrsid11690782\charrsid12600788 \par }{\insrsid11690782 Petitioner in Person \par Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Suva for the Respondent \par }}