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High Court of Fiji |
IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
AT SUVA
CIVIL JURISDICTION
CIVIL ACTION NO.: HBC 03 of 2018
BETWEEN
LISA BERNADETTE VERMANDE and BRYCE SERU
PLAINTIFFS
AND
JOELI DAVETA
DEFENDANT
_____
APPEARANCES/REPRESENTATION
PLAINTIFF : Ms Jackson [Jackson Bale Lawyers]
DEFENDANT : Mr Lanyon [Law Solutions]
JUDGMENT OF : Acting Master Ms Vandhana Lal
DELIVERED ON : 21 January 2019
JUDGMENT
[Section 169 application for vacant possession]
Said application is made pursuant to Section 169 of the Land Transfer Act.
The Plaintiffs have filed an Affidavit of Bryce Seru in Support of the Application.
Subsequently the Plaintiff filed a reply on 16 March 2018.
Both Plaintiffs’ hold one undivided half shares each as follows:
Lisa one undivided half share in the Interest of V. Rene whilst Bryce Seru hold one undivided half share in the interest of Elina Bulousivo.
According to the Plaintiffs, the defendant and his family are illegally occupying the property as well as the conducting illegal business activities on the premises. They have further failed to remove all debris and vehicles from the property.
Via a letter of 16 November 2017 Defendant was asked to quit and deliver up vacant possession but has failed and/or neglected to vacate the property.
Plaintiffs deny allegation of fraud, forgery and deception in having their names registered as owners.
Elina Daveta got half share on the property being share in matrimonial property as per a Court Order in action MDP 0495 of 1994.
Lisa Bernadette Seru is the daughter of Elina. Upon her marriage to Bryce Seru, Vermande Rene transferred half of his share to her name.
Bryce Seru by deception transferred Elina’s half share in the $500,000 value property to his name for $6,000 as consideration sum. Out of this $6,000, Elina only received $1, 000.
Defendant alleges that Elina was made to sign documents in favour for Bryce Seru as she was explained that it was for easement of transfer and authorisation of Fiji National Provident Fund assistance.
Defendant denies illegally occupying the property but claims to be residing on the property with Elina Daveta since 1995.
Elina agreed to use the $41,000 as follows:
However the $29,755.41 was used to renovate the house whilst Lisa Vermande and Bryce Seru took over the loan with Bank of South Pacific Limited which was refinanced by way of a mortgage.
$6,000 was paid to Elina.
Vermande Rene, Lisa’s father had transferred his share in the property to Lisa by way of love and affection.
The letter is undated and Ms Daveta claim and alleges fraud/deception by the Plaintiffs in having the property transferred.
This is not a proper form to bring such evidence before the Court.
Evidence should be in the form of an Affidavit sworn by Ms Daveta.
Accordingly I will not consider the said annexure 3 in the Affidavit in Opposition when making my determination.
“The following persons may summons any person in possession of land to appear before a Judge in Chambers to show cause why the persons summoned should not give up possession to the applicant:
“the person summoned may show cause why he or she refuses to give possession of such land and, if he or she proves to the satisfaction of the Judge a right to the possession of the land.”
“Under Section 172 the person summoned may show cause why he refused to give possession of the land and if he proves tosatisfaction of the judge a right to possession or can esta establish an arguable defence the application will be dismissed with costs in his favour. The Defendants must show on affidavit evidence some right to possession which would preclude the granting of an order for possession under Section 169 proce Thatots not to say thay that final or incontrovertible proof of a right to remain in possession must be adduced. What is required is that some tangible evidence establishing a rightupporan are case for sfor such auch a righ right, must be adduced.”
"Though evidence of fraud and collusion is oftfficult to obtain, the evid evidence here fails a good way short of a standard requiring
the court's further investigation. In
"There must, in our view, be evidence in support of the allegation indicating the need for fuller investigation which woch would make
Section 169 dure unsattory.hIn then then the present case the appellant merely asserted that he had paid the money for the purchase
of the properhis wnied th Prasin Kuar and the respondent. There was nothing whatsoever beer before fore the lthe learned judge to
suggest the existence of any evidence, documentary or oral, that might possibly assist the appellant in treating the case as falling
within the scope160; Section 169 #160; of t60; and g an order for possessisession in favour of the respondent."
The High Court further went to say that “t bare allegation of fraud did not amount by itself to a complicated question of fact, makinmaking the summary procedure of &#ection 169 &#/b> in appate see too R;Ram Devi v Satya Shnd Sharma & Anor.[1985] 31 Fi 130 at p.135A.135A. A thld of e of evidence must be reached by the Defendant before the Plaintiff can be denied his summary remedy. In Wallingford v l Society&iety [1880] 5 AC 685 at p Lord Selbourne LC sai> sai>
"With rega regards to fraud, if there be any principle which is perfectly well settled, it is that general allegatioowever strong may be the words in which they are stated, ard, are insufficient even to amount to an averment of fraud of which any Court ought to take notice. And here I find nothing but perfectly general and vague allegations of fraud. No single material fact is condescended upon, in a manner which would enable any Court to understand what it was that was alleged to be fraudulent."
As per the sales and purchases agreement the Vendor Elina will pay Bank of South Pacific, City rates to Suva City Council from the sales proceeds and $6, 000 will be for her use.
As per the payment authority $29, 755.41 was paid to the Plaintiffs for renovations which facts has not been disputed by the Defendant.
................................
Vandhana Lal [Ms]
Acting Master
At Suva.
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URL: http://www.paclii.org/fj/cases/FJHC/2019/63.html