[2016] KEELC 538 (KLR)
The court found that the Plaintiff had unconditionally withdrawn the suit, and the Defendant did not oppose the withdrawal but sought costs. The court held that the suit was settled by the Plaintiff's withdrawal and could not be revived. The Defendant was entitled to costs, which would be assessed by the Deputy...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2016] KEELC 538 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Gulam Mohammed Noor; Defendant: Bahadul Noor Mohamed Gulam
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 81 of 2016
- Procedural Posture
- Land and Property Suit / Judgment After Withdrawal of Suit
- Outcome
- Suit withdrawn and marked as settled; costs to the Defendant to be assessed.
- Judges
- FM Njoroge
- Legal Topics
- Land Registration, Succession Disputes, Injunctive Relief
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Gulam Mohammed Noor
Plaintiff
Bahadul Noor Mohamed Gulam
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Land and Property Suit / Judgment After Withdrawal of Suit
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the suit should be withdrawn unconditionally by the Plaintiff.
- 2 Whether the Defendant is entitled to costs upon withdrawal of the suit by the Plaintiff.
- 3 Whether the suit can be revived after withdrawal.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the Plaintiff had unconditionally withdrawn the suit, and the Defendant did not oppose the withdrawal but sought costs. The court held that the suit was settled by the Plaintiff's withdrawal and could not be revived. The Defendant was entitled to costs, which would be assessed by the Deputy Registrar if not agreed upon. The orders previously issued were not addressed further, as the withdrawal disposed of the substantive dispute. The court exercised its discretion to mark the suit as settled and directed the assessment of costs, thereby concluding the matter between the parties.
Court Disposition
Suit withdrawn and marked as settled; costs to the Defendant to be assessed.
Orders
- The suit is marked as settled and withdrawn unconditionally.
- The parties may not bring the suit back to court.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
30 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT AT MERU
E&L NO 81 OF 2016
GULAM MOHAMMED NOOR..............................................PLAINTIF/APPLICANT
VERSUS
BAHADUL NOOR MOHAMED GULAM....................DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
J U D G E M E N T
1. In his Plaint dated 17th June, 2016, the Plaintiff prays for orders:-
1. Cancellation of the Defendant as sole lessee of the suit plot and an order that the suit plot be reverted to the name of the deceased (Gulam Mohamed) for registration in accordance with the grant in High Court Meru Succession Cause No. 85 of 1997.
2. An Order of Inhibition barring the Land Registrar Meru to register any transactions and or dealings over the suit plot No. Meru Municipality/Block 11/107 save as ordered in Meru High Court Succession Cause No. 85/1997.
3. A permanent injunction restraining the Defendant, his agents, servants and representatives from evicting the Plaintiff from the suit plot, selling the same to third parties, disturbing the tenants thereon or in any other way interfering with the suit plot No. Meru Municipality/Block 11 /107.
4. Cost of the suit and interest thereon.
2. Through an application dated 17th June, 2016 and filed under a Certificate of Urgency the Plaintiff on 22nd June, 2016, obtained the following orders:-
1. THATthe applicationBE and IS HEREBY certified urgent.
2. THATan order of inhibitionBE and IS HEREBY issued restraining the Land Registrar Meru registering any transactions and or dealings in form of transfers, leases, mortgages, charges and or any other transactions whatsoever in the register of the suit plot herein L. NO. MERU MUNICIPALITY/BLOCK 11/107 for 14 days.
3. THATthe application be served upon the respondent for mention on 7th July, 2016 before the ELC Court in NYERI.
4. THATcosts be in the cause.
3. The Plaintiff through the Firm of Ndubi Ondubi & Associates on 19/08/2016 filed a Notice of withdrawal of the Suit. The Notice was dated 19th August, 2016.
4. On 05/09/2016, the Plaintiff's Advocate told the Court that the Plaintiff wished to withdraw the suit. He informed the Court that the Defendant was not opposed to the withdrawal of the suit.
5. Mr. Mutegi holding brief for Otieno C. for the Defendant told the Court that the Defendant was not opposed to the withdrawal of the suit save for an award of costs to him. He said that the Defendant was demanding agreed costs in the sum of Kshs. 150,000/=. He told the Court that if the Plaintiff was not agreeable to the suggested amount, he would file a bill of costs.
6. Mr. Ndubi, for the Plaintiff told the Court that the Defendant should be allowed to file his bill of costs.
7. I deem this suit to have been heard and settled through the Plaintiff's unconditional withdrawal of the same. Consequently the suit is marked as settled and the parties may not bring it back to Court.
8. Costs payable to the Defendant shall be assessed by this Court's Deputy Registrar.
9. It is so ordered.
DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT AT MERU THIS 14TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2016 IN THE PRESENCE OF:-
cc:Lilian /Daniel
Miss Muna h/b Ndubi for Plaintiff
Kimathi h/b Otieno C. for the Defendant.
P.M. NJOROGE
JUDGE