[2012] KEHC 4040 (KLR)
The court found that the certificate of taxation was regularly obtained, had not been set aside or challenged, and that the respondent was duly served but failed to appear or contest the application. Accordingly, the court held that judgment should be entered for the amount certified in the certificate of taxation,...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2012] KEHC 4040 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Gurmakh Singh Kehar Singh; Defendant: Eunice Mueni Kyengo
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Machakos
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Case 286 of 2010
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Case / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Judgment on Certificate of Taxation
- Outcome
- Application allowed in its entirety. Judgment entered for the applicant for the taxed amount, with interest and costs.
- Judges
- EM Ngugi
- Legal Topics
- Certificate of Taxation, Costs Award, Interest on Costs
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Gurmakh Singh Kehar Singh
Plaintiff
Eunice Mueni Kyengo
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Judgment on Certificate of Taxation
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court should enter judgment for the amount in the certificate of taxation in favour of the applicant.
- 2 Whether interest at 14% per annum from the date of filing the Bill of Costs should be awarded.
- 3 Whether the respondent should pay the costs of the application and taxation cause.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the certificate of taxation was regularly obtained, had not been set aside or challenged, and that the respondent was duly served but failed to appear or contest the application. Accordingly, the court held that judgment should be entered for the amount certified in the certificate of taxation, interest at 14% per annum from the date of filing the Bill of Costs until payment in full should be awarded, and the respondent should pay the costs of the application and the taxation cause. The court relied on Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act, which provides that a certificate of taxation is final as to the amount of costs due, and on the court's discretion to award...
Court Disposition
Application allowed in its entirety. Judgment entered for the applicant for the taxed amount, with interest and costs.
Orders
- Judgment entered for Kshs. 133,797 against the respondent in terms of the certificate of taxation issued on 22/07/2011.
- Interest at 14% per annum from the date of filing the Bill of Costs until payment in full is awarded to the applicant.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT
AT MACHAKOS
Civil Case 286 of 2010
GURMAKH SINGH KEHAR SINGH..............................................................................................PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
EUNICE MUENI KYENGO........................................................................................................DEFENDANT
RULING
1. The Application before the Court is the Notice of Motion dated 28/09/2011 (“Application”) brought by the Plaintiff in the suit herein under Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act section 3A of the Civil Procedure Act and, for good measure, all other enabling provisions of the law.
2. The Application seeks three prayers:
a.That the Honourable Court be pleased to enter judgment for Kshs. 133,797/= only against the Respondent in terms of the Certificate of Taxation issued by this Honourable Court on 22/07/2011;
b.That the Honourable Court be pleased to award interest at 14% p.a. from the date of filing the Bill of Costs till payment in full.
c.That the Respondent be condemned to pay the costs of this Application and the costs of the taxation cause.
3. The Application is supported by the Affidavit of James Ogoti Agata, the Advocate who has been conducting this matter on behalf of Onyancha, Nyakundi & Company Advocates who were acting for the Plaintiff.
4. I have satisfied myself that the Respondent was served with the Application and the hearing notice. Indeed, when the matter came before me on 24/11/2011, I directed that the Applicant’s counsel does serve again and file a legally-sufficient affidavit of service. This was done and the matter came before me again on 03/02/2012. On that day, again, the Respondent was not present. The affidavit of service on record details how she was served. I accept it. I have equally satisfied myself that the Bill of Costs was taxed regularly and after due notice and service to the Respondent who also elected not to appear before the Taxing Officer.
5. After perusing the Application dated 28/09/2011, the Supporting Affidavit of James Ogoti Agata, the affidavit of service sworn by Haron Nyakenya Moroga, and the Certificate of Taxation dated 28/09/2011, and after hearing Mr. Obare who was holding brief for Mr. Onyancha for the Applicant, I am satisfied that the Certificate of Taxation was regularly obtained. I am also satisfied that it has not been set aside or challenged. In the circumstances, I will allow the Application dated 28/09/2011 in its entirety. The final orders will be as follows:
a.Judgment be and is hereby entered for Kshs. 133,797/= only against the Respondent in terms of the Certificate of Taxation issued by this Honourable Court on 22/07/2011;
b.Interest at the rate of 14% p.a. from the date of filing the Bill of Costs till payment in full is awarded to the Applicant;
c.The Respondent shall pay the costs of this Application and the costs of the taxation cause.
DATED, SIGNEDand DELIVERED at MACHAKOS this day 15THday ofFEBRUARY 2012.
___________________
J.M. NGUGI
JUDGE