The stay application filed by some members of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) in the High Court has been withdrawn.

Lawyers for the appellants informed Justice Vishwa Sharma yesterday they intended to withdraw the case.

The court heard that on June 19, the appeal against the SODELPA ruling was abandoned because the appellants did not pay the security for costs ordered by the Chief Registrar Yohan Liyanage.

The lawyer for the defendants Romanu Vananalagi said the appellants were aware of the withdrawal since June 19 but kept the defendants in the dark until the day before the hearing on July 2. Mr Vananalagi made submissions for costs to be awarded in the sum of $10,000 instead of the initial $6000 that they had asked for.

The lawyer for the appellants Simione Valenitabua Snr said the parties should pay their own costs, but $10,000 sought by the defendants was excessive.

Mr Valenitabua said a more reasonable sum would be $1500. The case was adjourned to July 9.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

Feedback: fonua.talei@fijisun.com.fj