There is a unique propensity for bitterness between a couple going through a separation or divorce, said High Court in Lautoka judge Justice Anare Tuilevuka.
He made the statement in a ruling delivered on January 23 in a case where a husband was seeking court orders to stop his “separated” wife from making defamatory statements against him.
“Against that background, it is likely that this claim might have been filed with an ulterior motive and, if that is the case, would either be an abuse of process or a scandalous, frivolous and vexatious claim,” Justice Tuilevuka said.
“I say that because of the unique propensity for bitterness between a couple going through a separation or divorce.
“A disgruntled spouse on a personal vendetta is quite capable of fabricating a story to manipulate court processes in order to gain mileage, or for the same reason, to file a claim for defamation against the other.
“This is not an unusual thing. In the end, there is no winner.
“It is the family’s dirty laundry which will be made a spectacle.”
Justice Tuilevuka declined the application filed by the husband.
