Weibur v The Republic of Vanuatu

Court Supreme Court

Case type Constitutional

Case number 1872 of 2021

Hearing date 14 Jun 2021

Decision date 14 Jun 2021

Official PDF document

Judge(s) Justice Oliver Saksak

Respondent(s) The Republic of Vanuatu Respondent; Gracia Shadrack, Speaker of Parliament - Interested Party

Applicant(s) Bob Loughman Weibur - First Applicant; Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau - Second Applicant; Johnny Koanapo Rasou - Third Applicant; Jay Ngwele Fourth Applicant; James Bule - Fifth Applicant; Willie Daniel - Sixth Applicant; Willie Pakoa Satearoto - Seventh Applicant; Lenkon Tao Bruno - Eighth Applicant; Seule Simeon - Ninth Applicant; Mark Ati - Tenth Applicant; Silas Bule Melve - Eleventh Applicant; Samson Samsen - Twelfth Applicant; Edward Nalyal Molou - Thirteenth Applicant; Nakou Ianatom Natuman - Fourteenth Applicant; Leonard Joshua Pikioune - Fifteenth Applicant; Marc Muelsul - Sixteenth Applicant; Edmund Julun - Seventeen Applicant; Xavier Emanuel Harry - Eighteenth Applicant; Anthony Iaris Harry - Nineteenth Applicant

Counsel Mr Robert Sugden, Mr Godden Avock and Mr Sakiusa Kalsakau for the Applicants; Mr Frederick Kilu for the Respondent; Mr Nigel Morrison and Ms Stephanie Mahuk for the Interested Party

ORDERS

1. Having made inquiries from Counsel pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the Constitutional Procedure Rules, and having ascertained from Counsel that the application challenges only the jurisdiction of the Speaker under Article 54 of the Constitution which is purely a legal question,

2. And pursuant to Rule 2.8 (f) and g( iv), the Court Orders that-

1. There be a hearing in Open Court at Dumbea at 9:00am on Friday 18th June 2021.

2. The Applicants are to file and serve their written submissions and list of authorities by 4:00pm on Wednesday 16th June 2021.

3. The Respondent and Interested Party are to file and serve their responding submissions and authorities by 4:00pm on Thursday 17th June 2021.

4. Costs to be in the cause.

DATED at Port Vila this 14th day of June 2021
BY THE COURT

OLIVER.A.SAKSAK
Judge