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High Court in Suva sets trial for $1 million defamation lawsuit

Fiji
February 13, 2026 (Updated: February 14, 2026) 0 Neutral AI Assisted
High Court in Suva sets trial for $1 million defamation lawsuit

TheWkly Analysis

The High Court in Suva has allocated four days to hear a $1 million defamation lawsuit filed by Duavata director Arnold Chanel against Justice Pacific chief executive officer Elaine Chandra. The claim centers on a Facebook post allegedly made by Ms Chandra on April 25, 2025, in which she referred to Mr Chanel as the Duavata editor and described him as unqualified, urging him to complete his degree. It is further alleged that on April 20 last year, Ms Chandra posted on Facebook accusing Mr Chanel of tax fraud. Mr Chanel is seeking general damages, a permanent injunction, and a public apology. Last year, the court dismissed Mr Chanel’s ex parte application to restrain Ms Chandra from making further defamatory posts. The matter was called on February 6 before Acting Master of the High Court Liyanage Kashyapa Wickramasekara, with nine witnesses expected to testify.

Multiple perspectives analyzed from 0 sources
What this means for you:
Arnold Chanel could experience ongoing reputational harm if the lawsuit does not succeed, affecting his professional opportunities in Fiji.
Elaine Chandra might face financial penalties and restrictions on her social media use if found liable, impacting her role at Justice Pacific.
Witnesses involved, such as the nine expected to testify, may have their personal lives disrupted by court appearances and potential public scrutiny.
Your Wallet
While this Fiji lawsuit won't directly hit U.S. prices or jobs, it shows how social media fights can lead to million-dollar legal bills that drain personal savings on lawyer fees and lost work time. For young workers, a bad online reputation from trash-talking colleagues could hurt job offers or promotions, cutting your future paychecks. Protect your wallet by thinking twice before posting anything negative about others at work—keep it professional to avoid career-damaging drama.

Key Entities

  • Arnold Chanel Person

    Director of Duavata who filed the defamation lawsuit against Elaine Chandra.

  • Elaine Chandra Person

    Chief executive officer of Justice Pacific accused of making defamatory Facebook posts.

  • Duavata Organization

    An organization led by Arnold Chanel that is involved in the defamation claim.

  • Justice Pacific Organization

    An organization headed by Elaine Chandra that is referenced in the lawsuit.

  • High Court in Suva Place

    The Fijian court handling the trial for the defamation lawsuit.

Multi-Perspective Analysis

Left-Leaning View

A left-leaning perspective might frame this as an example of powerful individuals using lawsuits to suppress criticism and protect elite interests.

Centrist View

A centrist view would see this as a straightforward legal process addressing defamation claims, focusing on the facts without broader political implications.

Right-Leaning View

A right-leaning perspective could portray this as a necessary defense against unfounded attacks, emphasizing personal responsibility in online communications.

Source & Verification

Source: Fiji Times RSS

Status: AI Processed

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