Parties oppose overseas lawyer in tax dispute

By KARO JESSE
A CASE disputing the distribution of goods and services tax (GST) component by the National Capital District Commission to Central, Gulf and Motu-Koitabu Assembly continues to drag on after parties opposed an overseas lawyer’s engagement by NCDC.
The case returned yesterday at the National Court before Justice Thomas Anis to see whether private lawyers representing Central, Gulf and MKA required the attorney-general’s approval to appear.
As it was raised by Solicitor-General Tauvasa Tanuvasa, the lawyers needed the approval of the attorney-general because provincial governments operated on public funds.
Tanuvasa confirmed that the attorney-general had approved the brief-out for lawyers representing Central, Gulf and MKA to appear before the court, which is a compliance of Attorney-General’s Act.
However, lawyer for Central made an oral application which prompted the judge to adjourn the case to July 12 for the hearing of a preliminary issue raised and the substantive issue before the court.
Central, Gulf and MKA opposed lawyer Mal Varitimos representing NCDC as they claimed that he needed certification from the attorney-general to appear.
Varitimos, who appeared via video linked from Australia, contended that it was a non-issue, thus he was ambushed by the defendants with notice.
The judge adjourned the case for the preliminary issue raised by Central government’s lawyer to be filed in a formal motion and served on all parties.
The case was filed by NCDC as it took issue with IRC Commissioner-General Sam Koim’s decision to distribute the NCDC tax component.