Fijian court to be asked to stop people's charter

Lawyers for the ousted government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase are behind the development, as Samisoni Pareti reports from Suva.

SDL party lawyer Niko Nawaikula confirms he has received instructions from Mr Qarase's party to prepare papers seeking a court injuction against Commodore Frank Bainimarama's push to have his people's charter adopted into law.

Mr Nawaikula says its early days yet and confirms with Legend FM radio that papers will be filed at the Suva High Court once all the relevant documents are collated.

Mr Qarase's party believes only an elected government should push for such a charter, particularly when it wants to change certain provisions of the government's 1997 constitution.

It is understood the ousted government wants the court to order a stop to any work on the charter, including the massive awareness work currently underway on it around the country.

Among those expected to be named in the writ will be the president Ratu Josefa Iloilo and interim prime minister and military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.