[2024] KEELC 5098 (KLR)
The court found that the application was unopposed and that allowing it would serve the interests of justice by enabling the suit to be heard on its merits. The applicant had demonstrated that he was the proper person to be substituted as the legal representative of the deceased defendant, having obtained the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEELC 5098 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Hussein Sharrif Ibdirahim (Suing as the legal representative of the Estate of Sharrif Ibrahim); Defendant: Abdukadir Sharrif Abdirahim
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Isiolo
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case E004 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application to Set Aside Dismissal and for Substitution of Legal Representative
- Outcome
- Application allowed. Dismissal order set aside. Substitution of legal representative granted.
- Judges
- PM Njoroge
- Legal Topics
- Setting Aside Dismissal, Substitution of Parties, Letters of Administration, Estate Management
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Hussein Sharrif Ibdirahim (Suing as the legal representative of the Estate of Sharrif Ibrahim)
Plaintiff
Abdukadir Sharrif Abdirahim
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application to Set Aside Dismissal and for Substitution of Legal Representative
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the dismissal order for non-attendance should be set aside to allow the matter to proceed.
- 2 Whether Dahir Shariff Abdikadir should be appointed as the legal representative of the deceased defendant for purposes of substitution.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the application was unopposed and that allowing it would serve the interests of justice by enabling the suit to be heard on its merits. The applicant had demonstrated that he was the proper person to be substituted as the legal representative of the deceased defendant, having obtained the necessary grant of letters of administration ad litem. The court exercised its discretion to set aside the dismissal order for non-attendance and to allow substitution, guided by the principle that where there is a right, there must be a remedy. No prejudice would be occasioned to the respondent by granting the orders sought.
Court Disposition
Application allowed. Dismissal order set aside. Substitution of legal representative granted.
Orders
- The application is allowed.
- Costs shall be in the cause.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
Ibdirahim (Suing as the legal representative of the Estate of Sharrif Ibrahim) v Abdirahim (Environment & Land Case E004 of 2021) [2024] KEELC 5098 (KLR) (1 July 2024) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEELC 5098 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Environment and Land Court at Isiolo
Environment & Land Case E004 of 2021
PM Njoroge, J
July 1, 2024
Between
Hussein Sharrif Ibdirahim(Suing as the legal representative of the Estate of Sharrif Ibrahim)
Plaintiff
and
Abdukadir Sharrif Abdirahim
Defendant
Ruling
1. This application states on its face that it has been brought to court under Order 1 Rule 10(2) and 22, Order 17 Rule 2, Order 12 Rule 7, Order 5 Rule 17 and Order 51 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules 2010 and Section 3 A of the Civil Procedure Act and “all other enabling provisions of the law”.
2. The application seeks orders that;1. This Honourable Court be pleased to certify the matter urgent.2. This Honourable Court be pleased to set aside and/or vary the dismissal orders for non-attendance delivered on the 8/5/2023 by Hon. Justice P.M Njoroge in Isiolo ELC No. 004 of 2021. 3.This Honourable Court be pleased to appoint DAHIR SHARIFF ABDIKADIR as the legal representative of the deceased herein ABDIKADIR SHARIFF ABDIRAHIM and substitution proceedings be allowed to enable him finalize this matter to conclusion.4. Cost and interest of the application be provided for.
3. The application is supported by the affidavit of DAHIR SHARIFF ABDIRAHIM and has the following grounds;a.The applicant is the eldest son of the deceased ABDIKADIR SHARIFF ABDIRAHIM who died on 28/11/2022. b.Prior to his demise the deceased was the defendant in the above matter.c.The applicant applied and was granted limited grant of letters of administration ad litem for the purposes of prosecuting these proceedings only on 29/12/2023 in Isiolo Kadhis Court Misc. Succession No. E0003 of 2023. d.The applicant’s Advocate on record upon visiting Isiolo Court Registry to file an application for substitution proceedings, he was informed that the matter had been dismissed for non-attendance BOTH PARTIES vide a ruling delivered on the 8/5/2023 by Hon. Justice P. M Njoroge.e.The applicant is keen on prosecuting this part heard matter to finality.f.That due to the nature of this case and in the interest of justice and promptitude there is need to reinstate and institute substitution proceedings in regard to the above mentioned ELC Case and appoint the applicant DAHIR SHARIFF ABDIKADIR to enable him to proceed with this suit on behalf of the estate of the deceased.g.There is no prejudice or harm that might be occasioned by the applicant being appointed as the legal representative of the estate of the deceased.
4. On 8/4/2024 the parties were directed to file written submissions. However, on 25/5/2024 Advocate Caleb Mwiti who was holding brief for Advocate Otieno C for the applicant informed the court that the Respondent had not filed any response. He said that on account of this, this application stood unopposed. He prayed that the application be allowed.
5. I find that the application is not opposed. I also opine that allowing the application will be in the interest of justice for the suit to be heard on its full merits. In arriving at this decision, this court subscribe to the maxim “Ubi Jus Ibi Remedium” as enunciated in the centuries Old English Case of Ashby Versus White (1703) 92 ER 126. Indeed, “Where there is a right, there is a remedy”!
6. In the circumstances, this court issues the following orders:a.This application is allowed.b.Costs shall be in the cause.c.The parties will come to court for directions on 7/10/2024. d.The applicant is directed to serve the orders issued by the court today upon the respondent within 7 days of delivery of this ruling.
DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT AT ISIOLO THIS 1ST DAY OF JULY, 2024 IN THE PRESENCE OF:Court Assistant: Balozi/RahmaParties not in court.HON. JUSTICE P.M NJOROGEJUDGE