Lawyers told to be prepared when petition cases in court

 THE Supreme Court directed the lawyer representing Usino-Bundi MP Anton Yagama to serve the unsealed draft copy of his submission to the petitioner via email by 4pm the next day after he failed to comply with earlier direction. 

Justice Stephen Kassman told lawyers last Friday that they should come prepared to court to help it resolve election petition matters.

Norbert Torato, who represented Yagama in the election dispute against Madang businessman and former MP Peter Yama, was directed to serve sealed documents of their submission by July.

The Electoral Commission, represented by Harvey Nii of Harvey Nii Lawyers, was directed to file and serve their submission by July 8.

Yama had filed and served his on  Yagama and the commission. He was represented by Nixon Kiuk.

Yagama asked the court for an extension of time and Justice Kassman allowed it but he would have to pay the costs. The case has been set for  July 11 for hearing.