[2025] KEHC 16710 (KLR)
The court found that conducting a taxation of the advocate-client bill of costs without the primary file was a fundamental procedural flaw. The absence of the primary file deprived the taxing master of the necessary context and materials to properly assess the bill of costs. As such, the previous taxation was set...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2025] KEHC 16710 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Kimatta & Company Advocates; Respondent: Narwar Singh Bhogal; Respondent: Amrik Singh Bhogal; Respondent: Jaspal Singh Bhogal; Respondent: Estate of Naranjan Singh Bhogal
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Civil Application 152 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Reference Against Taxation of Advocate Client Bill of Costs
- Outcome
- reference allowed; previous taxation set aside; fresh taxation ordered before a different taxing master
- Judges
- SM Mohochi
- Legal Topics
- Taxation of Costs, Advocate Client Bill, Reference Procedure
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Kimatta & Company Advocates
Applicant
Narwar Singh Bhogal
Respondent
Amrik Singh Bhogal
Respondent
Jaspal Singh Bhogal
Respondent
Estate of Naranjan Singh Bhogal
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Reference Against Taxation of Advocate Client Bill of Costs
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether a bill of costs can be taxed in the absence of the primary file.
- 2 Whether the previous taxation should be set aside and a fresh taxation ordered.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that conducting a taxation of the advocate-client bill of costs without the primary file was a fundamental procedural flaw. The absence of the primary file deprived the taxing master of the necessary context and materials to properly assess the bill of costs. As such, the previous taxation was set aside, and a fresh taxation was ordered before a different taxing master to ensure fairness and compliance with procedural requirements.
Court Disposition
reference allowed; previous taxation set aside; fresh taxation ordered before a different taxing master
Orders
- The bill of costs dated 11th August, 2021 is set aside in the three matters.
- A fresh taxation is to be undertaken by a taxing master other than the one who undertook the previous taxation.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
Kimatta & Company Advocates v Bhogal & 3 others (Miscellaneous Civil Application 152 of 2021) [2025] KEHC 16710 (KLR) (4 February 2025) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2025] KEHC 16710 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Nakuru
Miscellaneous Civil Application 152 of 2021
SM Mohochi, J
February 4, 2025
Between
Kimatta & Company Advocates
Advocate
and
Narwar Singh Bhogal
1st Client
Amrik Singh Bhogal
2nd Client
Jaspal Singh Bhogal
3rd Client
Estate of Naranjan Singh Bhogal
4th Client
Ruling
1. This Court is inclined to allow the reference setting aside the bill of costs dated 11th August, 2021, in the three matters for the reason that a taxation cannot be undertaken without the primary file.
2. A fresh taxation is hereby ordered to be undertaken by a taxing master other than the taxing master who undertook the previous taxation.It is so ordered.
SIGNED, DATED AND DELIVERED ON THIS 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025MOHOCHI S.MJUDGEIn the presence of:M/s Chepngetich holding brief for Kisillah for ClientsApplicant - absent