[2024] KEHC 8774 (KLR)
The court found that the application to set aside or vary the taxation ruling was overtaken by events, as the Deputy Registrar had already delivered a well-reasoned ruling on the taxation of the bill of costs. No error in principle or manifest injustice was demonstrated in the taxation process. The allegation of...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEHC 8774 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: L.N. Momanyi & Co. Advocates; Respondent: Schollah Adhiambo Ochieng
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Civil Application E301 of 2023
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application to Set Aside/vary Taxation
- Outcome
- application dismissed; taxation confirmed
- Judges
- JK Ng'arng'ar
- Legal Topics
- Taxation of Costs, Setting Aside Orders, Review of Taxing Officer Decisions
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
L.N. Momanyi & Co. Advocates
Applicant
Schollah Adhiambo Ochieng
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application to Set Aside/vary Taxation
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the ruling dated 5/7/2024 taxing the bill of costs should be varied or set aside.
- 2 Whether the bill of costs should be taxed afresh before another taxing officer.
- 3 Whether there was a conflict of interest preventing Mr. Osoro from acting for the respondent.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the application to set aside or vary the taxation ruling was overtaken by events, as the Deputy Registrar had already delivered a well-reasoned ruling on the taxation of the bill of costs. No error in principle or manifest injustice was demonstrated in the taxation process. The allegation of conflict of interest against Mr. Osoro was unsupported by evidence and therefore dismissed. Consequently, the court declined to interfere with the Deputy Registrar's decision and confirmed the taxation as proper.
Court Disposition
application dismissed; taxation confirmed
Orders
- The application dated 10/7/2024 is dismissed as spent.
- The taxation by the Deputy Registrar is confirmed as proper.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
L.N. Momanyi & Co. Advocates v Ochieng (Miscellaneous Civil Application E301 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 8774 (KLR) (23 July 2024) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 8774 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Mombasa
Miscellaneous Civil Application E301 of 2023
JK Ng'arng'ar, J
July 23, 2024
Between
L.N. Momanyi & Co. Advocates
Applicant
and
Schollah Adhiambo Ochieng
Respondent
Ruling
1. This is a ruling to the application dated 10/7/24. It seeks that the ruling dated 5/7/2024 taxing the bill of costs dated 18/10/2023 be varied and/or set aside.
2. In the alternative, the prayer is for the bill of costs dated 18/10/2023 be taxed afresh before another taxing officer.
3. It is supported by affidavit of Lucy Momanyi. The same was prosecuted by Dr. Khaminwa (S.C). There is a reply to the application by Mr. Osoro. Dr. Khaminwa raised a preliminary issue that Mr. Osoro was a pupil of Lucy Momanyi hence would not act against her.
4. No evidence was tendered to support this assertion which was denied by Mr. Osoro, advocate.
5. I will therefore not dwell on it. I find no conflict of interest proved or exhibited and note that the application dated 10/7/2024 has been overtaken by events. The Deputy Registrar, Hon. N.R. Akee gave a ruling on the taxation of the bill in issue.
6. I have gone through what transpired and find that all went on well. The ruling is well reasoned. I find that the Deputy Registrar advanced sound reasoning on how she proceeded to tax the bill.
7. I find no reason to interfere with the ruling and the resultant figure on the taxed sum. For the above reason, I do find that the application dated 10/7/2024 is overtaken by events.
8. The upshot of this is that the application is treated as spent and the taxation by the Deputy Registrar confirmed to be proper.
DATED AND DELIVERED VIRTUALLY AT MOMBASA ON THIS 23RD DAY OF JULY, 2024. J.K. NG’ARNG’AR, HSC...............................JUDGEI certify that this is a true copy of the originalSignedDEPUTY REGISTRARIn the presence of: -Khaminwa & Khaminwa Advocates for the Advocate/ApplicantOsoro & Osoro Advocates for the Client/RespondentCourt Assistant – Samuel ShitemiFurther Order;30 days stay and Appeal granted.