[2017] KEELC 2276 (KLR)
The court found that the defendants provided a reasonable explanation for their delay in filing a defence, namely the need to obtain relevant documents. The draft defence annexed to the application was deemed reasonable and raised triable issues regarding the ownership and overlap of the land parcels in dispute. The...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEELC 2276 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Crispinus Opamo Magina; Plaintiff: Clifford Otieno Magina; Defendant: Francis Osodio; Defendant: Raphael Ekisa; Defendant: The Land Registrar; Defendant: The Attorney General
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Busia
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 120 of 2016
- Procedural Posture
- Notice of Motion / Ruling on Application to Set Aside Interlocutory Judgment
- Outcome
- Application allowed; interlocutory judgment set aside; leave granted to file defence out of time; costs to plaintiffs.
- Judges
- A Kaniaru
- Legal Topics
- Setting Aside Judgment, Interlocutory Judgment, Defence Out of Time, Service of Process, Land Ownership Dispute
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Crispinus Opamo Magina
Plaintiff
Clifford Otieno Magina
Plaintiff
Francis Osodio
Defendant
Raphael Ekisa
Defendant
The Land Registrar
Defendant
The Attorney General
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Notice of Motion / Ruling on Application to Set Aside Interlocutory Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the interlocutory judgment entered on 12/10/2016 should be set aside.
- 2 Whether the 1st and 2nd defendants should be granted leave to file their defence out of time.
- 3 Whether the draft defence annexed raises triable issues warranting a hearing on the merits.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the defendants provided a reasonable explanation for their delay in filing a defence, namely the need to obtain relevant documents. The draft defence annexed to the application was deemed reasonable and raised triable issues regarding the ownership and overlap of the land parcels in dispute. The court emphasized that justice is best served by allowing both parties to be heard on the merits, rather than determining the matter on a technicality. Accordingly, the interlocutory judgment was set aside, leave was granted to file the defence out of time, and the plaintiffs were awarded costs for the application.
Court Disposition
Application allowed; interlocutory judgment set aside; leave granted to file defence out of time; costs to plaintiffs.
Orders
- The interlocutory judgment entered on 12/10/2016 and all subsequent orders are set aside.
- Leave is granted to the 1st and 2nd defendants to file their defence out of time.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
37 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
IN BUSIA
LAND & ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION
ELC NO. 120 OF 2016
CRISPINUS OPAMO MAGINA....................1ST PLAINTIFF/RESPONDENT
CLIFFORD OTIENO MAGINA.................... 2ND PLAINTIFF/RESPONDENT
VERSUS
FRANCIS OSODIO......................................1ST DEFENDANT/APPLICANT
RAPHAEL EKISA........................................2ND DEFENDANT/APPLICANT
THE LAND REGISTRAR............................3RD DEFENDANT/APPLICANT
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL........................4TH DEFENFANT/APPLICANT
RULING
1. The application under consideration is a Notice of Motion dated 18/1/2017 and filed on 21/3/2017. It was brought under Section 1A and 3A of Civil Procedure Act (Cap 21) and Order 10 Rules 9 and 11 of Civil Procedure Rules. The 1st and 2nd Defendants - FRANCIS OSODIOandRAPHAEL EKISA -filed it against the Plaintiffs- CHRISPINUS OPAMA MAGINAandCLIFFORD OTIENO MAGINA - contesting an interlocutory judgement entered in their favour on 12/10/2016.
2. The prayers sought are four (4) and they are as follows:
Prayer 1: That the interlocutory judgement entered on 12/10/2016 or any other herein and all subsequent orders be and are hereby set aside.
Prayer 2: That leave be granted to the 1st and 2nd Defendants to file their defence out of time.
Prayer 3: That the defence annexed to the supporting affidavit herein be deemed duly filed and served.
Prayer 4: That costs be provided for.
3. The grounds on which the application is premised stipulate, interalia, that the two Defendants could not get some relevant documents immediately; that judgement need not be entered as this was not a liquidated claim; that the subject matter is land and the Defendants have a good defence; and that the relief sought meet the ends of justice.
4. In the supporting affidavit accompanying the application; the grounds advanced are reiterated. The two Defendants then said they own land parcels Nos. S.TESO/ANGOROMO/6486 and 6487, having purchased them from one Andrew Ekalo who was the registered owner of S.TESO/ANGOROMO/5468 which was subdivided. To the Defendants, there seems to be an overlap on the ground between the parcels they own and the land the Plaintiffs claim to own. This needs to be sorted out and it is therefore necessary to hear both sides.
5. The two Plaintiffs responded vide a replying affidavit dated 10/4/2017 and filed on the same date. According to them the application is brought in bad faith and aims to defeat justice. They stated that the Defendants were duly served and even entered appearance but failed to file defence on time. They also said that the intended defence does not address their claim and should therefore be struck out with cost.
6. The Court heard the application interparties on 10/4/2017. The Defendants’ Counsel, Minishi; reiterated what the application contains. The Plaintiffs’ Counsel, Murunga, did the same.
7. I have considered the application, the response by Plaintiffs, rival arguments made during hearing, and the draft defence availed. The interests of justice are always best served when both sides to a case are heard. And the courts always aim to ensure that this is achieved even where one side engages in dilatory behavior that seems to cause some delay. Where, like here, a judgement is entered, the courts usually set it aside if good reasons are given. In this matter, the Defendants say they were trying to get some documents. I think it is good to give them a chance.
8. In the case of WAIBOCI & Another vs PASHITO HOLDINGS LTD & 7 Others [2004] 2KLR 415, OJWANG J (as he then was), when faced with an application similar to the one herein, held, interalia, that an entirely regular interlocutory judgement can be set aside where the Defendants happen to have and places before court a reasonable defence on the merits. An assessment of such merits can be made from the draft defence.
9. I have already observed that the desirable end in every case is to give a judgement on the merits. In my view, the Defendants have explained themselves well. The Plaintiffs can adequately be compensated with costs. And the draft defence annexed to the application seems reasonable to me. Given all these; I allow the application. The two Defendants however will pay the costs of the application.
Dated, signed and delivered at Busia this 19th day of July, 2017.
A. K. KANIARU
JUDGE
In the Presence of:
1st Plaintiff/Respondent …………………………………
2nd Plaintiff/Respondent …………………………………
1st Defendant/Applicant: ………………………….…………
2nd Defendant/Applicant: ……………………………………
3rd Defendant/Applicant: ………………………………………
4th Defendant/Applicant: ……………………………………
Counsel: …………………………………………………….