PCPI Director and Lawyer Dispute Appeal

With an estimated bill of around $150,000 hanging over their heads, there seems to be a break-down in communication between the Director of the Pacific Centre for Public Integrity Angie Heffernan and her lawyer Dor Sami Naidu.

After Heffernan's cases challenging the appointments of the Acting Chief Justice and other judges and a constitutional redress were struck out by the Suva High Court earlier, an order was issued that Heffernan and her lawyer would have to bear all the court costs for bringing such a case to court.

Heffernan's case was earlier dismissed by Judge Justice Davendra Pathik, who ruled that the matter was the worst case of abuse of the court and which amounted to a frivolous proceedings. In another ruling last week, the Court of Appeal also highlights that the respondents to Heffernan's various actions can at least now be in a position to put the Courts on notice that what is occurring is surely the height of legal lunacy, and if not withdrawn or struck out, then some security for costs must be forthcoming.

Following that the State filed a bill of costs totaling more than $130,000 against Heffernan, while Naidu has been ordered to pay a total $28,300 from the earlier proceedings.

Justice Hickie also noted in his ruling last week that the two are appealing against the court costs, which will only increase Heffernan's bill and warned that she stands to lose her home which was listed as collateral and go into financial ruin by these actions based on bad legal advice.
Judge Hickie also noted that Heffernan has informed the court that she did not instruct her Lawyer to file another appeal on her behalf.

However, speaking to FijiVillage today lawyer Dor Sami Naidu said he believed that there was a misunderstanding between him and his client, and he stressed that he is only appealing against the court costs ordered against him personally. Naidu said he would not comment further as he is expected to file further legal action within the next few days.

The case will be called next Tuesday for a decision by the High Court on the final court costs Heffernan and Naidu have to pay.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that while Heffernan already has outstanding court costs to be settled for her previous cases brought against the interim administration, the PCPI director is currently in New Zealand and is not expected back in the country until mid August.