During the Qarase case against the Interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, Qarase's Senior Counsel Nye Perram raised a point in court under his observation as an outsider, saying that Fiji is a conservative country and he suggested that the proceedings should be presided by a judge from Tonga or Malaysia.

Judge Gates did not reply to Parrom's observation but soon after adjourned the case to a further date.   

This afternoon's ruling saw Judge Gates saying the trial be postponed as he will now discuss with counsels for a fresh timetable whereby both lead counsels would be available.

After the case was opened by Perram this morning, the court adjourned to allow senior counsel for the parties, a good deal of time to narrow down the issues and to agreed facts.

Judge Gates said it had been hoped this would facilitate a shorter trial and a concentration on the real legal issues on which the decision of the court was to be sought.

Unfortunately this process did not produce any of those benefits.
During the recess a statement of claim was directed by consent to be filled and served by the plaintiffs.  

Perram added that his clients were prepared to abandon one of the claims brought up in court this morning except for the new claim that if the President had been right in taking the action he did on his return, there was no necessity to be applied, preventing a return to the situation prior to the takeover of 5th December.