Fiji Magistrates Bench Book - Federal Court of Australia

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3 Delivering your Judgment You must deliver your judgment in every trial in open Court, either immediately after the termination of the trial or at some subsequent time. You may simply explain the substance of the judgment, unless either party requests the whole judgment to be read out. If you reserve your decision to a later date, you must notify the parties when your judgment will be delivered. The defendant should be present when you deliver your judgment. Every judgment must be written in English and contain: • the offence of which, and section of the Penal Code or other Act under which, the defendant is charged; • the point or points for determination (the issues); • the decision on each of those points; and • the reasons for the dec ision. In the case of an acquittal, you must direct that the defendant be set at liberty. In the case of a conviction, include the sentence either at the same time or at a later date, as appropriate. Sign and date the judgment in open Court at the time you deliver it. Note, however, that if the defendant pleads guilty, your judgment need only contain the finding and sentence or other final order. See ss154 and 155 CPC. See Suresh Pratap & Premila Wati t/a/ Pratap Stone Crushing & Screening Works v G L John Limited, Civil Appeal ABU 42 of 2000. Although this is a civil case, it is relevant in that the Court of Appeal set aside an entire judgment of the High Court on the basis that the ends of justice had not been met. Among other things, the Court: • noted that giving reasons is always good judicial practice and there is an apparent and desirable need for a properly expressed and reasoned judgment; • found there were deficiencies in the determination of issues – all must be finally determined; and • questioned the validity of the practice of another judge signing the judgment instead of the trial judge and commented that the dangers surrounding it are apparent and to be avoided. Fiji Magistrates Bench Book April 2004
3.1 Judgment Format The format on the following page is a useful format for making and delivering your decision. This must be applied to each charge. It is a good idea to have the ‘losing’ party in mind when giving your reasons – make sure you address all their evidence and submissions thoroughly. Fiji Magistrates Bench Book April 2004
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Fiji Magistrates Bench Book Produce
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Table of Contents 1: The Law and Co
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4 Real Evidence 5 Exhibits 6 Oral E
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9: First Appearance 1 General 2 Non
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13: Sentencing 1 Introduction 2 Jur
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PJEP BENCHBOOK PROJECT 2003/2004 TE
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Fiji Magistrates Bench Book April 2
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3.1 The Fiji Constitution The first
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4 The Branches of the State 4.1 The
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Prime Minister The Prime Minster mu
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5 Jurisdiction Jurisdiction is the
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2: FIJI MAGISTRATE’S COURT Fiji M
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1 Introduction The Magistrate’s C
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• make copies of proceedings and
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4.4 Sentencing Jurisdiction Residen
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in suits wherein the validity of an
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By application of a Magistrate Subj
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Also, see State v Peniasi Kata Cr.
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For the defendant to have a fair tr
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An exception for the requirement fo
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4: JUDICIAL CONDUCT Fiji Magistrate
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1 Ethical Principles On appointment
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1.5 “Without Fear or Favour, Affe
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d) Conflict of interest You must di
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1. Prior notice • You should be s
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• Avoid a patronising and or undu
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5: EVIDENCE Fiji Magistrates Bench
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1 Introduction Evidence refers to t
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By definition, documentary evidence
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The distinction between ‘in Court
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Spouses The spouse of the defendant
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7.3 Leading Questions A general rul
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• Sometimes the witness will show
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If the legal burden is borne by the
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In a voir dire hearing, evidence sh
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• ensure that the witness who giv
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8.8 Character Evidence Admissibilit
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6: CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY Fiji Mag
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1 Introduction The Penal Code is th
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An honest claim of right is when a
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To raise a defence of accident, it
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It is the defendant who bears the o
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3 Intoxication must also be taken i
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Compulsion by threats Compulsion by
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• Force may include killing the a
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Enabling or Aiding: s21(1)(b) Penal
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Counselling The normal meaning of c
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Withdrawal Sometimes there may be a
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4.3 Accessories After the Fact: ss3
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• At least two persons must agree
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2.2 Endorsing the Criminal Evidence
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• Deal with matters that counsel
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In the unique case of Reginam v Net
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When the alleged offence occurs in
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See Akuila Kuoutawa & R Labasa Crim
Page 115 and 116: 12 Case Management The American Bar
Page 117 and 118: 8: PRE-TRIAL MATTERS Fiji Magistrat
Page 119 and 120: 1 The Criminal Process The followin
Page 121 and 122: In the event of a person whom such
Page 123 and 124: If the charge is defective: • ret
Page 125 and 126: 3.2 Warrant of Arrest Notwithstandi
Page 127 and 128: If, in the course of trial, the evi
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Page 131 and 132: 2 Non-Appearance by the Defendant I
Page 133 and 134: Explaining the charge to the defend
Page 135 and 136: For example, on a charge of malicio
Page 137 and 138: Immediate hearing If all parties ar
Page 139 and 140: 10: DEFENDED HEARINGS Fiji Magistra
Page 141 and 142: 1 Magistrate’s Notes A suggestion
Page 143 and 144: 2.4 Plea of Guilty to Other Offence
Page 145 and 146: A convenient test is found in the P
Page 147 and 148: 5.6 Lies If it is established that
Page 149 and 150: 7 Exhibits 7.1 Production Though it
Page 151 and 152: 11: BAIL Fiji Magistrates Bench Boo
Page 153 and 154: 1 Introduction The Bail Act 2002 se
Page 155 and 156: 4.3 Primary Consideration The prima
Page 157 and 158: A “serious offence” is any offe
Page 159 and 160: On the granting of bail, the accuse
Page 161 and 162: 6 Refusal of Bail If bail is refuse
Page 163 and 164: 12: JUDGMENT Fiji Magistrates Bench
Page 165: 1 A Structured Approach to Defended
Page 169 and 170: 13: SENTENCING Fiji Magistrates Ben
Page 171 and 172: 1 Introduction At the end of a tria
Page 173 and 174: The judicial act of sentencing need
Page 175 and 176: These include the following: • pr
Page 177 and 178: 7 Consideration of Other Offences W
Page 179 and 180: 9 Types of Sentences 9.1 Corporal P
Page 181 and 182: 9.5 Supervision As part of the prob
Page 183 and 184: Police supervision should not excee
Page 185 and 186: 14: APPEALS, REVISIONS AND CASES ST
Page 187 and 188: 1 Appeals The Magistrates’ Courts
Page 189 and 190: Supplementing the record In cases w
Page 191 and 192: The High Court shall hear and deter
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Page 195 and 196: Evidence of age In cases where the
Page 197 and 198: 5 Procedure in Juvenile Courts When
Page 199 and 200: 6 Sentencing of Juvenile Offenders
Page 201 and 202: 6.6 Special Considerations Regardin
Page 203 and 204: 16: COMMON OFFENCES Fiji Magistrate
Page 205 and 206: False Pretences Under s309(a) Secti
Page 207 and 208: False Pretences Under s309(b) Secti
Page 209 and 210: Simple Larceny (Theft) Section s259
Page 211 and 212: The requirement of permanent depriv
Page 213 and 214: Conversion Under s279(1)(a) Section
Page 215 and 216: Conversion Under s279(1)(b) Section
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Conversion Under s279(1)(c) Section
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Burglary Section s299 Penal Code (C
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Abuse of Office Section s111 Penal
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Acts Intended to Cause Grievous Har
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Defences If the prosecution has pro
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Robbery Section s293(1)(a) Penal Co
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Robbery (with Violence) Section s29
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Rape Section s149 Penal Code (Cap.
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Corroboration In all sexual offence
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Indecent Assault on a Female Sectio
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Indecently Insulting or Annoying a
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Defilement of Girl under Thirteen Y
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Defilement of Girl between Thirteen
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Defilement of Female Under Severe A
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Dangerous Drugs Section s8(b), 41(2
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Causing Death by Reckless or Danger
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Receiving Stolen Property Section s
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Sentence Like Degree The conviction
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Fiji Magistrates Bench Book - Federal Court of Australia

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