[2016] KEELRC 293 (KLR)
The Court found that the Claimant failed to attend the scheduled hearing on 1 November 2016 and did not comply with the direction to file a formal application for transfer of the Cause to Kisumu. The Claimant had also previously failed to attend court on other occasions. In light of the Respondent's application for...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2016] KEELRC 293 (KLR)
- Parties
- Claimant: Julius Kipketer Rugut; Respondent: Elgon View College
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 203 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Employment Cause / Ruling on Application for Dismissal for Non Attendance
- Outcome
- Cause dismissed for want of prosecution with costs to the Respondent.
- Judges
- MSA Makhandia
- Legal Topics
- Dismissal for Non Attendance, Case Management, Transfer of Cause
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Julius Kipketer Rugut
Claimant
Elgon View College
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Ruling on Application for Dismissal for Non Attendance
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Cause should be dismissed for non-attendance by the Claimant and his counsel.
- 2 Whether the Claimant complied with previous court directions regarding filing of a formal application for transfer.
Ratio Decidendi
The Court found that the Claimant failed to attend the scheduled hearing on 1 November 2016 and did not comply with the direction to file a formal application for transfer of the Cause to Kisumu. The Claimant had also previously failed to attend court on other occasions. In light of the Respondent's application for dismissal and the Claimant's repeated non-compliance with court directions and non-attendance, the Court exercised its discretion to dismiss the Cause for want of prosecution, awarding costs to the Respondent.
Court Disposition
Cause dismissed for want of prosecution with costs to the Respondent.
Orders
- The Cause herein is dismissed for want of prosecution.
- Costs awarded to the Respondent.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
27 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT AT NAKURU
CAUSE NO. 203 OF 2015
(Originally Nairobi Cause No. 76 of 2014)
JULIUS KIPKETER RUGUT CLAIMANT
v
ELGON VIEW COLLEGE RESPONDENT
RULING
1. On 29 January 2016, the Court in the presence of Mr. Ochako for the Claimant and in the absence of the Respondent’s advocate on record scheduled the Cause for hearing on 1 November 2016.
2. The Claimant was directed to serve a hearing notice upon the Respondent.
3. When the Cause was called out for hearing on 1 November 2016, the Claimant and his counsel were absent and Mr. Momanyi for the Respondent applied to have the Cause dismissed.
4. The Court reserved ruling to today to enable it look at the record.
5. According to the record, the Claimant was granted interim relief on 24 January 2014 (restraining the Respondent from replacing him).
6. However, the interim orders were stayed on 13 February 2014 and on 4 June 2014, the Court in Nairobi directed that this Cause be transferred to Nakuru for hearing and determination. The interim orders were set aside.
7. On 2 July 2014, the Claimant sought a review of the orders of 4 June 2014 and a ruling was delivered on 22 October 2014 dismissing the review application.
8. The Cause file was subsequently transmitted to Nakuru.
9. None of the parties attended Court on 16 November 2015 and 8 December 2015 and the Court directed that a dismissal show cause notice be issued returnable on 29 January 2016.
10. The Claimant filed an affidavit on 25 January 2016 and during the appearance on 29 January 2016, the Claimant sought that the Cause be transferred to Kisumu and the Court directed him to file a formal application before 5 February 2016 and also scheduled hearing of the Cause for 1 November 2016.
11. The Claimant did not file the intimated application as directed and also failed to attend the hearing.
12. Considering the absence during the hearing and the application by the Respondent, the Court dismisses the Cause herein with costs to the Respondent.
Delivered, dated and signed in Nakuru on this 8th day of November 2016.
Radido Stephen
Judge
Appearances
For Claimant J. Kerosi Ochako & Co. Advocates
For Respondent Mr. Momanyi instructed by Anassi Momanyi & Co. Advocates
Court Assistants Nixon/Daisy