JUDGMENT

Haidar Mohd Noor JCA:

At the hearing of appeal No. W-02-113-2000 by the appellant (defendant), Mahadevi a/p Nadchatiram ("Mahadevi"), there are two other appeals namely, W-02-552-99 and W-02-606-99 filed by her for hearing also and which are related to appeal No. W-02-113-2000.

Appeal No. W-02-113-2000 is in respect of two suits namely, S5-23-08-99 and S2(S5)-23-04-97 which were consolidated. The learned judge gave judgment in part in favour of the respondent/plaintiff, Thiruchelvasegaram a/l Manickavasegar ("Segaram"). There is a cross-appeal filed by the respondent. The consolidated suits involve primarily the cause of action of defamation.

In respect of appeal No. W-02-552-99, the application of Mahadevi to re-re-re amend her re-re amended statement of defence dated 18 September 1998 in suit No. S2(S5)-23-04-l997 was dismissed by the senior assistant registrar. On appeal to the judge in chambers, the appeal (encl. 105) was dismissed with costs on 6 July 1999. Hence this appeal before us.

In respect of appeal No. W-02-606-99, a fresh application was filed by Mahadevi to re-re-re amend her re-re amended statement of defence dated 18 September 1998 in suit No. S2(S5)-23-04