[2005] KEHC 2509 (KLR)
The court declined to confirm the grant of letters of administration because there was no evidence on record that the required court fees had been paid. The administrators had acknowledged the interests of the purchasers, but the court emphasized that compliance with procedural requirements, specifically payment of...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2005] KEHC 2509 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Mary J. Ruto; Applicant: David K. Ruto; Respondent: Charles Kiptoo Chepkei; Respondent: John Koima Masa
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Eldoret
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Succession Cause 193 of 1995
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Ruling on Summons for Confirmation of Grant
- Outcome
- Adjourned pending confirmation of payment of court fees.
- Legal Topics
- Confirmation of Grant, Administration of Estates, Purchaser Rights, Court Fees, Distribution of Land
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Mary J. Ruto
Applicant
David K. Ruto
Applicant
Charles Kiptoo Chepkei
Respondent
John Koima Masa
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Ruling on Summons for Confirmation of Grant
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the grant of letters of administration should be confirmed in the absence of proof of payment of court fees.
- 2 Whether purchasers of land from the deceased are entitled to have their interests recognized in the confirmation of grant.
Ratio Decidendi
The court declined to confirm the grant of letters of administration because there was no evidence on record that the required court fees had been paid. The administrators had acknowledged the interests of the purchasers, but the court emphasized that compliance with procedural requirements, specifically payment of court fees, is a mandatory precondition before any substantive orders regarding confirmation of grant can be made. The matter was adjourned for mention to confirm payment of court fees before further proceedings.
Court Disposition
Adjourned pending confirmation of payment of court fees.
Orders
- Deputy Registrar to ensure all relevant court fees have been paid before further proceedings.
- Matter to be mentioned on 20th June 2005 to confirm payment of court fees.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
13 paragraphs
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT ELDORET Succession Cause 193 of 1995
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PAUL KUTO MAIYO (DECEASED)
RULING
This is an application by way of Summons for confirmation of grant. It was dated 23rd December 2002 and issued by the Deputy Registrar on 7th April 2004. It was an application by Mary J. Ruto and David K. Ruto the administrators of the estate of Paul Ruto Maiyo.
At the hearing of the application the petitioners did not attend court. They had also failed to attend court on 2nd November 2004 when the application had come for hearing. On both 2nd November 2004 and 9th May 2005 Charles Kiptoo and John Koima, who were purchasers of land from the deceased were in court. They urged the court to confirm the letters of administration so that they can get title to the portion of land that they bought from the deceased.
From the court record on 24th June 2004 the applicants/administrators were the ones who appeared before the Deputy Registrar and fixed the application for confirmation of grant for hearing on 2nd November 2004. The administrators, in their documents filed in the petition as well as in the affidavit in support of the Summons for confirmation of grant, acknowledged that Charles Kiptoo Chepkei and John Koima Masa were purchasers of land from the deceased. They agree that the two each get 4 acres of land, that is -
Charles Kiptoo Chepkei – 4 acres – UG/TUIYOLUK 6130(21)
John Koima Masa - 4 acres – UG/TUIYOLUK 6130(21)
However, looking at the Summons for confirmation of grant and the entire documents filed in the petition, there is no record or receipt that shows that any court fees were paid. In those circumstances, I cannot make any orders regarding the confirmation of grant unless I am satisfied that all the court fees has been paid.
I therefore order that the Deputy Registrar should ensure that all relevant court fees has been paid, before I proceed with this matter further. The matter will be mentioned on 20th June 2005 to confirm whether court fees has been paid.
Dated and Delivered at Eldoret this 30th Day of May 2005
George Dulu
Ag. Judge