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Vanuatu - Vanuatu Law Reports - Chronological Index of Cases VANUATU LAW REPORTS
Van.L.R. 1980-1994
Edited by John Ridgway, Ridgway Blake Lawyers, Port Vila, Vanuatu
CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX OF REPORTED JUDGMENTS
WITH KEY WORDS(NB: Use the "Find" function located under Edit above to search for key words
or use the search engine located on the Main Page)
1980 / 1981 / 1982 / 1983 / 1984 / 1985 / 1986 / 1987 /
1988 / 1989 / 1990 / 1991 / 1992 / 1993 / 1994
Year Name of Case
Case
ReferenceDate of Judgment Page Reported 1980 Colardeau v Mamelin Civil Case – FRENCH LAW – EXECUTION - PROTOCOL
S/C 4/80 14/08/80 1 Picardie Holdings (NH) Ltd. & Ors. v Waegemenn Civil Case – CONTRACTS – SALE OF LAND – INDEPENDENCE – effect of on contracts for sale of land
S/C 68/80 29/10/80 5 T v R Civil Case – CONSTITUTION – PROTOCOL – FAMILY ARRANGEMENTS
S/C 79/80 12/12/80 7 1981 William and Anor v Obed Civil Case – DAMAGES – quantum, loss of expectation of life, application of U.K. statutes of general application
S/C 1/81 06/07/81 11 Tho v Etat Francais Civil Case – INTERNATIONAL LAW – sovereign immunity – PROTOCOL – interpretation
S/C 200/81 28/10/81 16 1982 Kalmet v Public Prosecutor Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – consideration of "indecent assault" and "assault"
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – consideration of "serious offence" – Article 5(2)(a) – "right" to have legal representation
S/C(CR) 1/82 20/02/87 23 Best v The Owner of Ship Glenelg [No. 1] Civil Case – INJUNCTION – Interlocutory Relief – ADMIRALTY – PLEADING – Application to strike out
S/C 27,28,29/80 03/06/82 27 Public Prosecutor v Cassal and Lind Criminal Case – ADMIRALTY – using vessel without lawful authority
S/C(CR) 23/82 26/08/82 35 Jimmy and the Union Blong Moderet Pati (UMP) AND The Principal Electoral Officer Civil Case – ELECTIONS – registration of voters – procedure
S/C 136/82 13/10/82 42 Best v The Owner of the Ship 'Glenelg' [No. 2] Appeal Case – ADMIRALTY – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – appeal against order to strike out pleading – INJUNCTIONS – interlocutory – Mareva
C.A. 1/82 14/07/82 48 1983 The Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu AND An Application by Boris Andrew Ganke and by Brinds Limited CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – REGISTRATION OF LAND – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
S/C 169/83 26/03/83 53 Malere and Ors. v The Republic of Vanuatu Civil Case – PARLIAMENT – entitlements of members – STATUTES – interpretation
S/C 170/83 02/12/83 56 Naling v Public Prosecutor Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – STATUTES – Interpretation of Art. 5(2)(a) of Constitution – interpretation of "serious offence"
C.A. 5/82 24/03/83 61 Cassal and Lind v Public Prosecutor Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – consideration of "lawful authority" – summing up – ADMIRALTY – termination of bareboat charter – repossession of vessel
C.A. 6/82 25/03/83 67 Coombe v Minister of Home Affairs Appeal Case – ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – IMMIGRATION – application for leave for Order of Certiorari
C.A. 1/83 26/03/83 74 1984 Leigh v Societe Civile Inter-Continental and Groupement Francais D’Assurance Civil Case – DAMAGES – FRENCH LAW – personal injury – assessment of damages
S/C 27/82 07/02/84 76 Seru and Ors: Election Petition Civil Case – ELECTIONS – PARLIAMENT – allegation of electoral irregularities
S/C 1A/84 09/02/84 84 Barclays Bank Int. Ltd. v Societe Huilerie des N.H. Civil Case – FRENCH LAW – Deed of Mortgage – Force Majeure
S/C 167/83 09/03/84 88 Application: for summonses to be issued pursuant to Letters Rogatory Criminal Case – BANKING – secrecy provisions – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – "substantial justice"
S/C 1/84 29/03/84 90 Hnaloane v Pentecost Pacific S.A. and Anor. Civil Case – CONTRACT – EMPLOYMENT – DAMAGES – breach of contract
S/C 213/83 11/05/84 94 Societe Civile Familiale Gaudron v Prouds South Seas Limited Civil Case – LANDLORD AND TENANT – option to renew – parties not Ad Idem
S/C 214/83 08/06/84 100 Barrett and Ors. v Kam and Ors Civil Case – JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS – Application to Set Aside Order Joining Parties as Defendants; INDEPENDENCE – Effect of On Land Dealings
S/C 192/83 26/06/84 102 Harrisen v Holloway as the Commissioner of Police [No. 1] Civil Case – TORT – wrongful imprisonment – DAMAGES – assessment – exemplary and compensatory damages
S/C 62/84 22/08/84 106 Luthier v Kam Civil Case – FRENCH LAW – RECEIVERS – application for attachment
S/C 98/83 04/09/84 116 Public Prosecutor v Kalmet Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – motor vehicle offences – STATUTES – interpretation of driving in a manner dangerous
S/C(CR) 12/84 09/11/84 122 Lansonneur v Barge and another Civil Case – DAMAGES – personal injury – assessment of damages
S/C 3/84 06/12/84 125 Public Prosecutor v Xavier Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – motor traffic offences – driving without due care and attention
S/C(CR) 23/84 28/12/84 127 P v S; in the matter of infant P (Petition by S) Civil Case – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – FAMILY ARRANGEMENTS – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
C.A 85/84 12/12/84 130 Pentecost Pacific Ltd. v Hnaloane Appeal Case – CONTRACT – EMPLOYMENT – DAMAGES – FRENCH LAW – wrongful dismissal, breach of contract
C.A. 4A/84 12/12/84 134 Public Prosecutor v Mathias Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS – sentencing, jurisdiction
C.A. 3A/84 14/12/84 140 Public Prosecutor v Guyette Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – Jurisdiction and Sentencing – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
C.A. 12/84 14/12/84 144 Harrisen v Holloway [No. 2] Appeal Case – STATUTES – general application – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – the proper defendant in (tortious) suits against the Government – DAMAGES – exemplary damages – general damages
C.A. 10/84 14/12/84 147 1985 Pacific Grazing (Vanuatu) Ltd; In re Civil Case – COMPANIES – Winding Up – Notice of Demand – Effect Of Typographical Error – Execution of Notice Of Demand By Solicitor – TIME – Public Holidays
S/C 20/85 03/04/85 154 Public Prosecutor v Galt and Ors. Criminal Case – EVIDENCE – inferences – possession, control and custody
S/C(CR) 8/85 12/04/85 158 My v Societe Civile Sarami Civil Case – FRENCH LAW – INDEPENDENCE – CONTRACT – DAMAGES
S/C 39/85 12/04/85 163 Sablon v Public Prosecutor Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – motor traffic offence – consideration of "dangerous driving"
S/C(CR) 3/85 17/05/85 166 Development Bank of Vanuatu v Seagoe Civil Case – MORTGAGE – INDEPENDENCE – FRENCH LAW
S/C 30/84 14/06/85 168 Public Prosecutor v Struik and Elsass Criminal Case – CIVIL AVIATION – interpretation of regulations
S/C(CR) 24/85 15/07/85 175 Brenner v Johnson and Ors. Civil Case – JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS – Default Judgment – Application to Set Aside
S/C 98/85 15/10/85 180 Ellis and Ors. v Attorney General Civil Case – CONTRACT – FISHERIES – Sovereign immunity – Government
S/C 22/83 12/12/85 190 1986 Public Prosecutor v Montaigue Criminal Case – mens rea – statutory definition of intention
S/C(CR) 418/85 02/01/86 209 Public Prosecutor v Kaltabang Criminal Case – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – restitution
S/C(CR) 22/85 24/01/86 211 Public Prosecutor v Jerry Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – motor vehicle offences – STATUTES – interpretation of "any person"
S/C(CR) 2/86 27/03/86 216 Dara v Orambath and Anor. Civil Case – DAMAGES – Assessment – Incapacities
S/C 164/85 12/05/86 219 Lale and Anor v Silas Land Appeal – CUSTOM
S/C L3/85 18/06/86 221 Pacific Grazing (NH) Ltd; In re Civil Case – COMPANIES – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – slip rule – REGISTRATION OF CHARGES
S/C 52/82 27/08/86 225 Boulekone Vihresanial v Timakata Civil Case – PARLIAMENT – STATUTES – Statutory Interpretation – Impossibility
S/C 90/86 01/10/86 228 Yaviong v Uliak Civil Case – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – ELECTIONS – voting irregularities; by-election
S/C 170/85 10/10/86 233 Malas v Songoriki Land Appeal Case – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – CUSTOM
S/C L1/85 08/10/86 235 Deposit and Investment Bank Ltd. v Registrar of Companies Civil Case – COMPANIES – REGISTRATION OF CHARGES
S/C 193/86 10/11/86 256 Metau v Jonah and Ors. Civil Case – INDEPENDENCE – REGISTRATION OF LAND – land dealings
S/C 233/86 01/12/86 260 Union des Transports Aeriens v Magulu Appeal Case – EMPLOYMENT – employee’s entitlement to severance allowance
C.A. 8/85 24/02/86 263 Naliu v Public Prosecutor Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – EVIDENCE – admission of voluntary statement – summing up
C.A. 2/85 27/02/86 266 Struik and Elsass v Public Prosecutor Appeal Case – EVIDENCE – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application to adjourn; applications to admit fresh evidence
C.A. 5/85 03/03/86 270 Namatak v Public Prosecutor (No. 1) Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – EVIDENCE – voluntary statements, admissibility – STATUTES – interpretation in Vanuatu
C.A. 7/85 04/03/86 274 Namatak v Public Prosecutor (No. 2) Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS – restitution – jurisdiction
C.A. 3/86 01/10/86 280 1987 Public Prosecutor v Repulpul and Ors. Criminal Case – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Judges Rules
S/C(CR) 1/87 18/03/87 283 Regenvanu v Ross and Anor. Land Appeal Case – CUSTOM – role of custom advisers – appointment of trustees where no clear customary ownership claim
S/C L8/85 21/03/87 284 Boe and Anor v Thomas Appeal Case – DAMAGES – quantum – loss of expectation of life – CUSTOM LAW – relevance to award
S/C 9/86 15/05/87 293 Toto v Pasvu Land Appeal Case – CUSTOM – INDEPENDENCE – Champagne Beach land case
S/C L6/85 06/07/87 300 Kalo v Public Service Commission [No. 1] Civil Case – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
S/C 74/87 09/10/87 305 Sope and Ors. v Principal Electoral Officer Civil Case – ELECTIONS – ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – electoral list irregularities, Mandamus application
S/C 169/87 16/10/87 313 Barlow v Than Civil Case – JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS – Default Judgment – Application to Set Aside
S/C 138/87 02/11/87 315 1988 Public Prosecutor v Nato Criminal Case – STATUTES – interpretation of "misappropriation"
M/C(CR) 304/88 27/04/88 319 Samson v Tailleur Civil Case – EMPLOYMENT – employee’s entitlements to holiday pay, pay in lieu of notice and severance allowance considered
M/C 10/88 05/05/88 324 Clements, Re; ex parte The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Civil Case – BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for adjournment
S/C 15/88 18/03/88 331 M v P; re the child G Civil Case – CUSTOM – FAMILY ARRANGEMENTS – adoption
S/C 58/88 31/03/88 333 Tobias v Attorney General and Ors. Civil Case – INJUNCTIONS – REGISTRATION OF LAND – JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS
S/C 89/88 03/06/88 337 Coombe v Whittle and Anor. Civil Case – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – SOLICITORS
S/C 51/88 16/06/88 340 Manie and Anor. v Kilman Land Appeal Case – CUSTOM – relationship with Common Law – INDEPENDENCE
S/C L5/84 05/07/88 343 Public Prosecutor v Talemaibau Appeal Case – CRIMINAL LAW – motor vehicle offences – STATUTES – offences of absolute liability
S/C(CR) 23/87 07/07/88 354 Sope and Ors. v Attorney General and Anor. [No. 1] Civil Case – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – PARLIAMENT – "majority" – "quorum" – STATUTES – interpretation of Constitution, effect of breach of Constitution
S/C 114/88 02/08/88 356 Sope and Ors. v Attorney General and Anor. [No.2] Civil Case – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – PARLIAMENT – STATUTES – freedom of expression considered – "members" considered
S/C 113/88 10/08/88 363 Carlot and Ors. v Attorney General and Anor. [No.1] Civil Case – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – PARLIAMENT – "majority" – "quorum" – "meeting" – "sitting"
S/C 116/88 16/08/88 372 Coombe: Application re order of Minister of Immigration Civil Case – ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – IMMIGRATION – application for leave to apply or Order of Certiorari
S/C 156/88 13/12/88 383 Solaise Hotel Ltd. v Pacific Consultants Ltd. and Ors. Civil Case – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – EVIDENCE – service out of jurisdiction
S/C 134/88 14/12/88 385 Constitution, Re; Application by Speaker of Parliament Civil Case – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – PRESIDENT – PARLIAMENT
S/C 159/88 16/12/88 393 Public Prosecutor v. Sope and and Ors [No.1] CRIMINAL LAW - bail application
S/C(CR) 9/88 21/12/88 396 Kalo v Public Service Commission [No.2] PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - notice of appeal - particulars required - ability to amend
C.A. 3/87 07/03/88 398 Dovan v Public Prosecutor CRIMINAL LAW - EVIDENCE - admission of fresh evidence - possession of prohibited drug absolute offence - intervention by appellate court in decision of lower court
C.A. 1/88 08/03/88 400 Sope and Ors. v Attorney General and Anor. [No.3] CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - PARLIAMENT
C.A. 3/88 21/10/88 405 Carlot and Ors. v Attorney General and Anor. [No.2] CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - PARLIAMENT - consideration of "sittings" (S/C 116/88) and "consecutive sittings"
C.A. 4/88 21/10/88 407 Sope and Ors. v Attorney General and Anor. [No.4] CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - PARLIAMENT - STATUTES - "freedom of expression" considered
C.A. 6/88 21/10/88 411 Clements v Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY - application of UK Acts
C.A. 2/88 21/10/88 416 1989 Public Prosecutor v Sope and Ors. [No.2] CRIMINAL LAW - bail application
S/C(CR) 9/88 04/01/89 418 Public Prosecutor v Sokomanu and Ors. CRIMINAL LAW - seditious conspiracy - incitement to mutiny
S/C(CR) 50/88 04/01/89 420 Sokomanu and Ors. v Public Prosecutor CRIMINAL LAW - seditious conspiracy - incitement to mutiny - misdirections - effect of - consideration of "sufficient ground for interfering" (in lower court decision)
C.A. 2/89 14/04/89 440 Burns Philp (Vanuatu) Ltd. v Maki EMPLOYMENT - severance allowance - STATUTES - retrospective application
C.A. 8/88 12/07/89 458 1990 Ferrieux v Banque Indosuez Vanuatu Ltd. EMPLOYMENT - CONTRACT - DAMAGES - wrongful dismissal - assessment of damages
S/C 109/88 12/01/90 462 Wilson and Anor. v Lini and Anor. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - INJUNCTIONS - interlocutory application - IMMIGRATION - natural justice considerations
S/C 95/90 (No. 1) 19/11/90 483 G v L, re the child S CUSTOM, FAMILY ARRANGEMENTS - custody, de facto relationship
S/C 120/90 18/12/90 486 Sitangtang v Public Prosecutor CRIMINAL LAW - STATUTES - "Consideration of incest"
C.A. 12/90 18/10/90 488 Banque Indosuez Vanuatu Ltd. v Ferrieux EMPLOYMENT - CONTRACT - repudiation - DAMAGES - assessment, severance pay, consideration of "remuneration"
C.A. 1/90 23/10/90 490 1991 Public Prosecutor v Bihu CRIMINAL LAW - remands - MAGISTRATES - COURTS - jurisdiction re summary trials and sentencing
S/C(CR) 40/90 01/02/91 499 Bali Hai Ltd. v Elkhorn Development Pty Ltd. and Ors REGISTRATION OF LAND - cautions - COURTS - jurisdictions of court - CONTRACT - SALE OF LAND - specific performance
S/C 119/90 26/03/91 506 Mataskelekele v Abil and Anor [No.1] PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - representative actions - application to strike out - CLUBS/VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS
S/C 99/91 06/08/91 512 Mataskelekele v Abil and Anor [No.2] PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - representative actions - application to strike out - CLUBS/VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS
C.A. 7/91 02/09/91 517 1992 'Lulu Tahi,' The ADMIRALTY - quantum of security to be paid under arrest
S/C 184A/91 17/01/92 524 Solzer v Garae and Anor. DAMAGES - assessment of damages - personal injury - pain and suffering
S/C 117/92 15/06/92 528 BPCM v Jet Service Ltd. and Anor. BANKING - carrying on business - CONTRACT - waiver of breach
S/C 117/90 09/06/92 535 Bastien v Michoutouchkine DAMAGES - Personal Injury/Assault - Assessment of Damages and Aggravated Damages
S/C 8/92 07/07/92 540 The 'Nagol Jump' Case CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - CUSTOM LAW
S/C 1A/92 10/07/92 545 Deamer v UNELCO PRACTISE AND PROCEDURE - INJUNCTIONS
S/C 122/92 20/07/92 554 Barrett v Patterson COMPANIES - RECEIVERS - EMPLOYMENT
S/C 122A/92 21/10/92 558 Timakata v Attorney General CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - "protection of the law" - "property" - "equal treatment under the law for administrative action"
S/C 103,104,105/92 01/11/92 575 Public Prosecutor v Mereka CRIMINAL LAW - preliminary inquiry - EVIDENCE - corroboration
S/C(CR) 7/92 30/12/92 613 1993 Taurokoto v Batic and Ors. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - EMPLOYMENT - applicability of prerogative writs to public servants
S/C 107/92 03/03/93 620 Willie v Public Service Commission ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - EMPLOYMENT - Public Service - compulsory retirement
S/C 145/92 25/03/93 634 Public Prosecutor v Silas CRIMINAL LAW - CUSTOM - sentencing and discharge under s42 Penal Code
S/C(CR) 48/92 01/06/93 659 Public Prosecutor v Kota and Ors. CRIMINAL LAW - CUSTOM - CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - kidnapping - conflict between custom ruling and statute
S/C(CR) 58/93 31/08/93 661 Public Prosecutor v Astrolabe Nominees Ltd. CRIMINAL LAW - COMPANIES - role of company secretary - consideration of offences "consented to or connived at by (defendant)"
S/C(CR) 35/93 30/11/93 666 Public Prosecutor v (F) Sope CRIMINAL LAW - TRADE AND LABOUR - elements of offence breaching order prohibiting strike (etc.) considered
M/C(CR) 100/93 17/12/93 669 Public Service Commission v Willie CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - EMPOLYMENT - Public Service - compulsory retirement
C.A. 2/93 15/10/93 673 Attorney General v Timakata CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - "protection of the law" - "requirement" for giving of reasons considered - "may not" considered
C.A. 1/93 15/10/93 679 Morris v Public Prosecutor CRIMINAL LAW - calling of fresh evidence considered, altering sentencing (of lower court)
C.A. 7/93 15/10/93 687 1994 Timakata v Government of Vanuatu PRESIDENT - CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - PARLIAMENT - performance of speaker's functions by deputy speaker
S/C 5/94 19/01/94 691 Public Prosecutor v Lin and Ors. CRIMINAL LAW - aiding and abetting contempt - defence of Superior Orders considered
S/C(CR) 2/94 24/01/94 695 Vanuatu Public Servants Association v Public Service Commission and Anor. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - CLUBS/VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS - TRADE AND LABOUR - 'trade dispute' - strike - trade unions
S/C 148/93 28/02/94 709 Molisa v Republic of Vanuatu EMPLOYMENT - STATUTES - severance pay - consideration of "continuous employment" - implied repeal of statute
S/C 155/93 19/04/94 722 SCHH Ltd. v South West Pacific Investments Ltd. RECEIVERS - EMPLOYMENT - CONTRACT - termination by receiver - severance pay entitlements - liability for payment of such entitlements - Companies Act priorities
S/C 30/94 21/04/94 729 Public Prosecutor v Issachaar CRIMINAL LAW - Committal Proceedings - obligation to give reasons for refusing to commit
C.A. 5/94 18/07/94 742
