10 Oct 2007

Fiji coup case to continue tomorrow

10:50 am on 10 October 2007

The deposed Fiji prime minister Laisenia Qarase's legal challenge to the overthrow of his government has been rescheduled for tomorrow.

When the case was adjourned last Friday, lawyers for Mr Qarase and the defendants were supposed to meet and agree on issues that are to go on trial and the list of witnesses who would be called.

But the lawyers had not reached agreement when the case was supposed to resume yesterday.

After a meeting with the three judges in chambers, lawyers for both sides as well as the amicus or "friend of the court", Dr Shaista Shameem, released a joint statement saying they had made significant progress in reducing the scope of the case.

The lawyers are expected to continue their discussions today before the case resumes tomorrow.

The acting chief justice, Anthony Gates, Justice John Byrne and Justice Devendra Pathik are presiding over the case.