AS the 2022 Court Year opens in Honiara this week, a call has gone out to Court administrators to ensure long running cases are prioritised for listing and hearing this year.
William Gua – the agent for the Fred and Gloria Olsson’s case, which began in 2006 – said it is time some responsibility is shown in the administration of justice in this country.
“My call is for long running cases, especially those before the Court of Appeal be given priority for listing this year. The Olsson’s case is one. It has been before the courts since 2006 – that is 16 years,” he said.
“Let’s get rid of cases like that by listing them as priority for hearing this year,” he said.
“It is good for everyone – the Courts and the individuals in terms of time and costs.”
Mr. Gua said the Olsson’s case is particularly interesting because the Court of Appeal had concluded it and yet the High Court decided to take it upon itself to rehear the case.
As a result the High Court had stayed the Court of Appeal decision, which to me is a bit odd, given that the Court of Appeal is the highest court in the land and its decision is final.
“Now the Olssons have been forced to appeal to the Court of Appeal once again. I am sure there are other cases that may have been going back and forth before the court,” he said.
“I am therefore appealing to the administrators of justice in this country to ensure cases that have been sitting before the Court of Appeal for a long time be given priority in terms of listing for hearing this year,” Mr. Gua said.
“A short cut would be for the President of the Court of Appeal to put an end to all these goings on by reaffirming that its decisions are final and that the High Court of any other courts do not have the jurisdictions to question it.”
“That sort of approach should give the High Court the message once and for all they should act within the bounds of their jurisdiction,” Mr. Gua said.
