The Fiji Court of Appeal has fixed an urgent hearing date next month for Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry’s case and the ruling is expected before the general election candidate nomination day.

Today Justice Suresh Chandra set aside 7th and 8th August for an urgent hearing as Fiji Court of Appeal president, Justice William Callanchini granted leave to appeal his sentence and conviction last week.

Justice Callanchini had also granted Chaudhry’s application for an urgent hearing.

Today Chaudhry’s lawyer, Anand Singh presented a letter from the Supervisor of Elections about the date the nominations close to stand as a candidate for the September elections.

DPP lawyer, Mosese Korovou asked the court to fix a date in September for hearing however, Justice Suresh Chandra said he may have to reject the application for hearing to be held in September.

The defense counsel has to give in their written submission by the 30th of this month while the DPP has to respond by 6th August.

Chaudhry can appeal his conviction and sentence however during the appeal process, the conviction and sentence handed down by the High Court still stands. 

Mahendra Chaudhry was fined $2 million by High Court Judge Justice Paul Madigan in May.

He paid the fine on the 27th of last month.

Chaudhry’s conviction has also been recorded which means that he is ineligible to contest the 2014 general election.

Mahendra Chaudhry has to comply with the Exchange Control Act by the 31st of July this year which means that he needs to repatriate the 1.5 million Australian dollars held in Australia.

Failure to do so will make him liable to prosecution for continuing breach of the Exchange Control Act.

The case has been adjourned till 28th July for mention.

Meanwhile the Elections Office has already released the nomination dates for the candidates.

According to the dates released, the Writ of Elections will be issued on the 4th of August. On the same day voter and party registrations will close.

The end of the candidate nomination period is 18th August this year while the National Candidates List will be out on the 25th of August.