Hearing date on stay application set for July 3
The case of a stay application filed by some members of the suspended SODELPA who are appealing the High Court decision that the 2019 AGM in Savusavu was invalid, has been fixed for hearing on July 3 at 9.30am.
A stay application is a mandatory court process to halt further legal process in legal proceeding.
This is after the High Court ruled that the party’s 2019 annual general meeting and elections made during the meeting were unlawful, invalid and ineffective.
The plaintiffs, who were the executive members of the now suspended party, had taken the party to court, claiming that it breached the constitution, the Act and the 2013 Constitution, when it held its meeting last year.
Members Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Adi Litia Qionibaravi and Usaia Peter Waqatairewa had filed an appeal of the judgment against Watisoni Nata, Kesaia Makita, Asenaca Soro Ravulo, Rogowale Seniviavia, Mere Samisoni, Emele Duituturaga, Jope Koroisavou, Silivenusi Waqausa and Malakai Vuetibau.
The matter was called yesterday before Judge Justice Vishwa Sharma.
The lawyer for Nata and others, Romanu Vananalagi, who appeared on instructions by AK Lawyers, told the court that the affidavits were filed by the lawyers, however, they did not receive the affidavit in response.
Simione Valenitabua Snr, the lawyer who represented Tuisawau, Qionibaravi and Waqatairewa, told the court that the affidavit in response, which was to be filed on June 8, had not been filed. He sought time to file the same, which was granted by Justice Sharma.