Justice Jitoko Calls Case In Closed Court

High Court Judge Filimoni Jitoko today called the People's Charter case taken up by former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the SDL in closed court.

Judge Jitoko accepted the stay order granted on his ruling to stop all the Charter work by Justice John Byrne.

However, state lawyers and lawyers for the SDL confirmed that Justice Jitoko raised questions and sought clarification from the state on the procedure and the manner in which the stay was obtained by the state from Justice Byrne late Friday afternoon.

Justice Jitoko had given the SDL options to either appeal the stay order directly or to deal with the matter through the Appeals Court.

The case will be called on Thursday for mention before Justice Byrne in the Fiji Court of Appeal.

It had been confirmed that Justice John Byrne will deliver his ruling on Thursday to explain the grounds and reasons why he issued a stay order.

Court Officials have confirmed to Fijivillage that Judge Byrnes has asked them to notify the media to be present when he gives his reasons as the stay has generated a lot of attention.