[2013] KEHC 553 (KLR)

[2013] KEHC 553 (KLR)

The court found that while the amendment to the defence to remove reference to the 3rd Defendant (following settlement) was unobjectionable, the proposed counterclaim by the 2nd Defendant constituted an entirely new cause of action, fundamentally altering the character of the suit. The counterclaim sought extensive...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2013] KEHC 553 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: Manjat Singh Sethi; Plaintiff: Perminder Singh Sethi; Plaintiff: Ruaha Concrete Company Limited; Defendant: Paramount Universal Bank Ltd.; Defendant: Kirit Kharkar; Defendant: Musa Said Hassan
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Suit 518 of 2004
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Ruling on Application to Amend Defence and Introduce Counterclaim
Outcome
application dismissed
Judges
JB Havelock
Legal Topics
Amendment of Pleadings, Counterclaims, Statutory Power of Sale, Delay and Laches, Title and Possession, Mesne Profits
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Land and Property Amendment of Pleadings Counterclaims Statutory Power of Sale Delay and Laches Title and Possession Mesne Profits

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Manjat Singh Sethi

Plaintiff

Perminder Singh Sethi

Plaintiff

Ruaha Concrete Company Limited

Plaintiff

Paramount Universal Bank Ltd.

Defendant

Kirit Kharkar

Defendant

Musa Said Hassan

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Ruling on Application to Amend Defence and Introduce Counterclaim

  1. 1 Whether the 2nd Defendant should be granted leave to amend his statement of defence and introduce a counterclaim after a significant delay.
  2. 2 Whether the proposed amendments and counterclaim would prejudice the Plaintiffs or fundamentally alter the nature of the suit.
  3. 3 Whether the principles governing amendment of pleadings, particularly as set out in Eastern Bakery v Castelino, are satisfied in this case.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that while the amendment to the defence to remove reference to the 3rd Defendant (following settlement) was unobjectionable, the proposed counterclaim by the 2nd Defendant constituted an entirely new cause of action, fundamentally altering the character of the suit. The counterclaim sought extensive new reliefs, including declarations of title, possession, injunctions, mesne profits, and substantial damages, which went far beyond the original defence. The court held that such amendments violated the principles set out in Eastern Bakery v Castelino, specifically that amendments should not substitute one distinct cause of action for another or prejudice the rights of the...

Court Disposition

application dismissed

Orders

  • The 2nd Defendant's Notice of Motion dated 26th April 2012 is dismissed with costs to the Plaintiffs.