[2012] KEHC 1602 (KLR)
The court found that the application for stay of execution was brought promptly and that the appeal raised arguable issues, including an admitted error in the calculation of damages by the trial court. The respondent conceded the error but sought immediate payment of the corrected sum, which the applicant opposed...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2012] KEHC 1602 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: D.T. Dobie Co. Ltd; Respondent: Anthony Githua Kariuki
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Appeal 221 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Appeal / Ruling on Application for Stay of Execution Pending Appeal
- Outcome
- Application for stay of execution granted, subject to conditions.
- Legal Topics
- Motor Vehicle Accident, Material Loss Claim, Stay of Execution, Assessment of Damages
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
D.T. Dobie Co. Ltd
Appellant
Anthony Githua Kariuki
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Ruling on Application for Stay of Execution Pending Appeal
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the stay of execution pending appeal should be granted.
- 2 Whether the trial court erred in adding the salvage value to the pre-accident value instead of deducting it.
- 3 Whether the respondent should be paid the difference after correcting the calculation error.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the application for stay of execution was brought promptly and that the appeal raised arguable issues, including an admitted error in the calculation of damages by the trial court. The respondent conceded the error but sought immediate payment of the corrected sum, which the applicant opposed due to the ongoing contest on liability. Exercising its discretion, the court held that a stay of execution was warranted to preserve the subject matter of the appeal and avoid rendering the appeal nugatory. The court ordered that the sum of Ksh. 210,000 plus interest be deposited in a joint interest-earning account or secured by a bank guarantee pending the hearing and...
Court Disposition
Application for stay of execution granted, subject to conditions.
Orders
- Stay of execution granted pending hearing of the main appeal.
- The sum of Ksh. 210,000 plus interest at court rates to be deposited in an interest-earning account in the joint names of both advocates, or a bank guarantee provided for the same amount, pending the appeal.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
83 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
High Court at Nairobi (Nairobi Law Courts)
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Editorial Summary
1. Civil Appeal
2. Civil Practice and Procedure
3. Subject of Subordinate Court Case
TORT
3. 1 Material loss claim
3. 2 Motor vehicle collision between two vehicles
KVQ 135 owned by original plaintiff/respondent
KAE 108K owned by original defendant/appellant
3. 3 Judgment entered by Hon. Magistrate in favour of
Respondent original plaintiff.
Pre-accident value Ksh. 275,000/-
Surcharge Ksh. 65,000/-
Ksh. 340,000/-
Assessors Ksh. 2,500/-
Total Ksh. 342,500/-
3. 4 Appeal filed 4th May 2012
4. Application for stay of execution
31st May 2012 filed 6th June 2012
4. 1 Calculation of pre-accident value and
surcharge incorrectly calculated.
4. 2 Respondent concedes and prays difference
be paid to the respondent – a man of
means – owns a Mercedes Benz vehicle.
4. 3 Applicant upon fulfilling requirements
asks moneys not to be paid to the
applicant.
5. Held:
i) Applicatin granted.
ii) Stay of execution subject to deposit of
Ksh. 210,000 plus interest.
6. Case Law:
Nandwa – Vs – Kenya Kazi Ltd
(1988) KLR 488
7. Advocates:
i) M/s D.M. Wambua instructed by B. Mbai & Co Advocates for
appellant/original defendant
ii) M/s C.N. Kihara instructed by C.N. Kihara & Co Advoctes
for respondent/original plaintiff
D.T. DOBIE CO. LTD …………………………………...….… APPELLANT/ORIGINAL DEFENDANT
VERSUS
ANTHONY GITHUA KARIUKI ………………..…..…… RESPONDENT/ORIGINAL PLAINTIFF
(Being an appeal from the judgment and decree of Hon. Ole Keiwua (Mr) Principal Magistrate in Milimani CMCC No. EJ. 88 of 2000 delivered on
13th April 2012)
R U L I N G
Application for Stay of Execution
Filed on 16th June 2012 dated 31st May 2012
I.INTRODUCTION
1. The parties herein litigated their case in the subordinate courts Milimani Commercial Court Nairobi. The dispute arose in TORT, on the 8th February 1997. A motor vehicle collision occurred between two vehicles registration KVQ 135 owned by the respondent original plaintiff and KAE 108K owned by the appellant original defendant.
2. The trial Hon. Magistrate found the appellant original defendant is liable and entered judgment in favour of the respondent original plaintiff on the following terms:
That:
Pre-accident value of the damaged motor vehicle Ksh. 275,000/-
Add salvageKsh. 65,000/-
Ksh. 340,000/-
Add assessors for Ksh. Ksh. 2,500/-
TotalKsh. 342,500/-
3. Being dissatisfied with this judgment the respondent appealed to this High Court on the 4th May 2012.
4. On the 6th June 2012, the respondent/applicant prayed in an application of the same date that they be granted leave to file stay of execution pending the main appeal. The grounds inter alia being that the salvage value of the motor vehicle was added to the value of the motor vehicle instead of being subtracted.
5. The respondent, agreed to this, that the Hon. Magistrate erred by adding the salvage value instead of deducting the said sum.
Nonetheless he prayed that the said salvage sum be deducted and the difference be paid to the respondent, who is a man of means. He owns a Mercedes Benz and was a man of substance.
6. This was opposed by the applicant. That the parties had failed to agree before.
IIFINDINGS
7. The application had been brought without undue delay. That the appeal would be rendered nugatory and or substantial would occasion was raised by the appellant/applicant.
8. Whereas issues herein of an error apparent or the face of the record of judgment has been raised and conceded, should the respondent be paid the difference? This was opposed by the applicant on grounds that the issue of liability was being contested. The respondent argued that the appellant never attended court and thus liable for the accident.
9. This court in its discretion finds that the main appeal raises issues that upon consideration may or may not come up with the contrary opinion from the trial court. The parties wish to be heard.
10. It is hereby held on this application that the prayer for stay of execution be granted pending the hearing of the main appeal.
11. That the sum of Ksh. 210,000/- plus interest at court’s rates be deposited in an interest earning account in the joint names of both advocates, alternative a banker’s guarantee be provided by the applicant on the sum of Ksh. 210,000/- plus interest at court’s rates pending the hearing of the appeal.
12. The costs be in the appeal.
DATED THIS 25TH DAY OF JUNE 2012 AT NAIROBI
M.A. ANG’AWA
JUDGE
Advocates:
i) M/s D.M. Wambua instructed by B. Mbai & Co Advocates for
appellant/original defendant
ii) M/s C.N. Kihara instructed by C.N. Kihara & Co Advoctes
for respondent/original plaintiff