The Solicitor-General has strongly objected to the application by daily newspaper Fiji Times to expedite the leave hearing and substance hearing in relation to an application for a judicial review on the Government’s decision to exclusively print Government advertisements in the Fiji Sun.

The matter was called before Justice Gamage Amaratunga at the High Court in Suva yesterday. After hearing submissions Justice  Amaratunga declined to grant the Fiji Times application for the expedited hearing

Fiji Times lawyer Jon Apted informed the court of their application to expedite the leave and substance hearing to prevent any delay.

Mr Apted, of Munro Leys, also submitted that the procedure carried out by Government to award the advertising to Fiji Sun was not correct.

Solicitor-General lawyer Robyn-Ann Mani strongly objected to the application by the Fiji Times saying that there were other matters that should be heard first before the leave to apply for a judicial review could be decided.

Ms Mani also said all due processes were followed before the decision to award the advertising was made.

Mr Apted demanded the respondent, Solicitor General and the Acting Permanent Secretary for Communications and the interested party, Fiji Sun, provide all necessary documents for the value of the contract for this year.

He also asked the Court to make a record of his submissions.

Fiji Sun lawyer, Emmanuel Narayan, of Patel Sharma, also  objected to the expedited hearing application and asked for time to file affidavits.

Justice Amaratunga granted the respondent and the interested party 14 days to file affidavits in opposition and 14 days to the applicant thereafter to respond.

The application for leave for a judicial review has been fixed for hearing on May 13.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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