Illustration of Court Orders Lawyer Presence for Hearing Date

High Court Demands Presence of Lawyer in High-Stakes Lawsuit

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The High Court in Suva has mandated that Veronica Malani must ensure the presence of her lawyer at the next court session to establish a hearing date. Malani appeared before Justice Usaia Ratuvili without her attorney, Sitiveni Raikanikoda, who was engaged in another case at the Nasinu Magistrate’s Court.

Defense attorney Ronal Singh expressed frustration, informing the court that they had already submitted their application to strike out Malani’s claims along with other essential documents and were fully prepared to set a hearing date. Singh remarked that this wasn’t the first time Raikanikoda was absent from the proceedings and pointed out that he had not suggested any possible hearing dates despite his absence.

The Attorney-General’s office has been allotted a period of 14 days to present their application aimed at striking out Malani’s claim, which amounts to $800,244 million. In contrast, lawyer Mohammed Saneem indicated that they were not ready to pursue the same application due to its improper setting.

Justice Ratuvili has adjourned the case until next Wednesday, when the court will finalize a hearing date. Malani is pursuing a lawsuit against 11 individuals linked to the investigation of the 1987 bombing case, claiming a substantial sum.

This case emphasizes the critical nature of legal representation in court proceedings and highlights the challenges faced when lawyers are unavailable. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of timely communication and readiness in legal practice. There is hope that the upcoming court session will bring clarity and progress in Malani’s long-standing legal battle, potentially paving the way for a resolution in a case that has significant historical implications.


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