High Court to deliver ruling next month on leave applications for judicial review of COI findings

The Suva High Court will deliver it's ruling on the 23rd of next month in the matter where former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, former Attorney General Graham Leung and lawyers Wylie Clarke and Laurel Vaurasi's counsels made submissions for leave to apply for judicial review of the Commission of Inquiry into Malimali's appointment. Malimali is represented by Tanya Waqanika, Richard Naidu is representing Clarke and Vaurasi while Leung is represented by Seforan Fatiaki. The Office of the Solicitor General is representing the President, Prime Minister, Attorney General and the COI while Simione Valenitabua is also representing the Prime Minister in the case where he dismissed Malimali. The applicants argued that their clients suffered a loss of reputation while Leung lost his job. The Office of the Solicitor General and Valenitabua argued that the applications must be struck out as a case cannot be filed against the COI under Section 11 of the COI Act. They also say that the COI does not make binding recommendations. Rashika