[2009] KEHC 1313 (KLR)
The court held that a suit which has abated due to the death of a defendant cannot be revived unless there is a party to replace the deceased defendant. Since the plaintiff did not seek to substitute the deceased defendant with a legal representative, the application to revive the suit was misconceived. The absence...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2009] KEHC 1313 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Benjamin Njeru Kiraithe; Defendant: M’Chabari Kiraithe
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Case 191 of 2001
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Case / Ruling on Application to Revive Abated Suit
- Outcome
- application dismissed
- Judges
- MM Kasango
- Legal Topics
- Abatement of Suit, Revival of Suit, Substitution of Parties
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Benjamin Njeru Kiraithe
Plaintiff
M’Chabari Kiraithe
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Ruling on Application to Revive Abated Suit
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court can revive a suit that has abated due to the death of the defendant without substitution of a legal representative.
- 2 Whether the plaintiff's application to revive the suit without seeking substitution is competent.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that a suit which has abated due to the death of a defendant cannot be revived unless there is a party to replace the deceased defendant. Since the plaintiff did not seek to substitute the deceased defendant with a legal representative, the application to revive the suit was misconceived. The absence of a defendant means the action cannot proceed to hearing, and therefore, the application to revive the suit was dismissed.
Court Disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The application to revive the suit is dismissed.
- No orders as to costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
16 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT
AT MERU
Civil Case 191 of 2001
BENJAMIN NJERU KIRAITHE ………………….. PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
M’CHABARI KIRAITHE ………………………. DEFENDANT
RULING
The defendant in this case died on 1st June 2004. By operation of Order XXIII Rule 4(3) the suit as against that deceased defendant abated on 2nd June 2005. The plaintiff by a chamber summons dated 8th July 2005 sought an order for the appointment of the deceased’s wife and son as legal representatives of that deceased defendant. By a ruling dated 30th January 2006 Hon. Mr. Justice Isaac Lenaola dismissed that application and had this to say in respect of that application:-
“Rule 5 so far as I can see is not the Rule to be used in appointing legal representatives as is being said by the applicant herein.”
On that application being dismissed, the plaintiff has now again approached this court by way of chamber summons dated 22nd February 2006. That application is the subject of this ruling. Learned counsel Mr. Joe Kathungu was denied audience in respect of that application because he represented the deceased defendant. In effect, Mr. Kathungu had no client. The chamber summons seeks an order as follows:-
“That this Hon. Court be pleased to make an order to revive this suit the same having abated.”
Under Order XXIII Rule 4(3) as stated before, the suit as against the deceased defendant abated on 2nd June 2005. Under Rule 8 (2) the court can revive a suit that has abated. That as it may be I am of the considered view that the plaintiff’s present application to revive the suit is misconceived and cannot be allowed. The reason is because a suit abates for lack of a party, that is, after the defendant died. To revive a suit that has abated because of the death of a party, the court can only be moved to do so if there is a party to replace the dead party. In this case, the plaintiff does not seek to replace the deceased defendant and yet seeks to have the suit revived. That cannot be granted. For to do so the action cannot proceed to hearing in the absence of a known defendant. I therefore find that the application is misconceived and I do hereby dismiss the same with no orders as to costs.
Dated and delivered at Meru this 5th day of November 2009.
MARY KASANGO
JUDGE