https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/kehc/2026/12622

Ombuna Ongeri & Co. Advocates v Corporate Insurance Co. Ltd (Civil Miscellaneous Application E158 of 2025) [2026] KEHC 12622 (KLR) (28 July 2026) (Judgment) Neutral citation: [2026] KEHC 12622 (KLR) Republic of Kenya In the High Court at Kiambu Civil Miscellaneous Application E158 of 2025 B Mwamuye, J July 28, 2026 Between Ombuna Ongeri & Co. Advocates Applicant and Corporate Insurance Co. Ltd Respondent Judgment INTRODUCTION 1.For determination before this Court are two applications. The first is a Notice of Motion dated 9th December 2025 filed by the Advocate/ Applicant pursuant to Order 51 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules, Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act and Order 7 of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order seeking the following orders:a.That this Honourable Court be pleased to enter judgment in favour of the Applicant herein in terms of the ruling delivered on 15th October 2025 in the sum of Kshs.95,867/=.b.That subject to prayer (a) above, this Honourable Court be pleased to issue a decree for Kshs.95,867/= together with interest at the rate of 14% per annum from 26th October 2025 until payment in full.c.That the costs of the application be in the cause. 1.The application is premised on the grounds set out on its face and the Supporting Affidavit of Robert Ongeri sworn on the instant date. The Applicant averred that it filed an Advocate-Client Bill of Costs dated 23rd June 2025 which was served upon the Respondent on 26th September 2025. The said Bill of Costs was subsequently taxed in the sum of Kshs.95,867/= and a Certificate of Taxation issued on 3rd December 2025. 3.The Applicant further averred that the Certificate of Taxation has neither been disputed nor set aside and that there is no dispute as to retainer. It was therefore contended that despite being notified of the taxed costs, the Respondent had failed and/or neglected to settle the amount due. 4.The Respondent opposed the application through a Replying Affidavit sworn by Emma Change dated 25th February 2026. The Respondent contended that prior to and during the taxation proceedings, auctioneers acting on instructions had levied distress against its property and carried away various household and office goods. As a result, the Respondent’s premises were allegedly left in disarray and critical files, documents and paperwork were displaced and became inaccessible. 5.The Respondent maintained that owing to the said circumstances it was unable to participate in the taxation proceedings. It consequently disputed the quantum of costs awarded and the date from which interest was claimed. 6.The second application was filed by the Respondent vide a Notice of Motion dated 24th February 2026 brought pursuant to Articles 48 and 50 of the Constitution of Kenya, Sections 1A, 1B and 3A of the Civil Procedure Act and Rule 11 of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order seeking the following orders:a.That this Honourable Court be pleased to set aside the taxation of the Advocate-Client Bill of Costs dated 23rd June 2025 and the Certificate of Taxation issued on 3rd December 2025.b.That this Honourable Court be pleased to grant the Respondent leave to file and prosecute its objection/ reference against the said taxation out of time.c.That the Advocate-Client Bill of Costs dated 23rd June 2025 be remitted for taxation afresh before a different taxing officer.d.That costs of the application be in the cause. 7.The application was supported by the grounds set out on its face and the Supporting Affidavit of Emma Change sworn on the instant date. The Respondent reiterated that the taxation proceedings were conducted in its absence due to the circumstances surrounding the distress levied against its property. It was contended that the Respondent’s failure to participate was neither deliberate nor intended to obstruct the course of justice but was occasioned by circumstances beyond its control. 8.The Respondent maintains that its failure to participate in the taxation proceedings was neither deliberate nor intended to obstruct the course of justice. It is therefore the Respondent’s position that it ought to be granted leave to file a reference out of time, the taxation and Certificate of Taxation set aside, and the Bill of Costs remitted for taxation afresh before a different Taxing Officer. ANALYSIS AND DETERMINATION 9.Having considered the pleadings, affidavits in support of and in opposition to the respective applications and the submissions by the parties, this Court is of the view that the following issues arise for determination:i.Whether the Respondent has established sufficient cause to warrant the exercise of this Court’s discretion under Rule 11(4) of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order to enlarge time within which to file a reference against the taxation.ii.Whether the Advocate/Applicant has satisfied the threshold for entry of judgment under Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act. Whether the Respondent has established sufficient cause to warrant the exercise of this Court’s discretion under Rule 11(4) of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order to enlarge time within which to file a reference against the taxation 10.The Respondent's Notice of Motion principally seeks leave to file and prosecute, out of time, a reference challenging the taxation. Consequent upon that relief, the Respondent further seeks orders setting aside the taxation of the Advocate-Client Bill of Costs, vacating the resultant Certificate of Taxation, and remitting the Bill of Costs for taxation afresh before a different taxing officer. The primary issue for determination is therefore whether the Respondent has demonstrated sufficient cause to warrant the exercise of this Court's discretion under Rule 11(4) of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order to enlarge time for lodging the intended reference. 11.The procedure for challenging a decision of a taxing officer is expressly prescribed under Rule 11 of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order. An aggrieved party is required, within the prescribed period, to give written notice specifying the items of taxation objected to, whereupon the Taxing Officer is required to furnish reasons for the impugned decision. It is only upon receipt of those reasons that the objector may properly invoke the jurisdiction of the Court by way of a reference. The procedure is mandatory and constitutes the prescribed statutory mechanism for challenging a taxation. While the Court is vested with discretion under Rule 11(4) to enlarge time, such discretion may only be exercised upon sufficient cause being demonstrated. 12.The superior courts have consistently affirmed the mandatory nature of compliance with Rule 11. In Ramuka Agencies Limited v Kirima [2024] KEELC 5378 (KLR), the Court held that failure to comply with the procedural requirements of Rule 11 renders an intended reference incompetent and that Article 159(2)(d) of the Constitution cannot be invoked to cure non-compliance with procedural requirements that are jurisdictional in nature. Similarly, in Machira & Co. Advocates v Arthur K. Magugu & Another [2012] eKLR, the Court of Appeal underscored that the procedure prescribed under Rule 11 is intended to facilitate the expeditious resolution of objections to taxation and must therefore be strictly observed. 13.Rule 11(4) of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order provides as follows:“The High Court shall have power in its discretion by order to enlarge the time fixed by subparagraph (1) or subparagraph (2) for the taking of any step; application for such an order may be made by chamber summons upon giving to every other interested party not less than three clear days’ notice in writing or as the Court may direct, and may be so made notwithstanding that the time sought to be enlarged may have already expired." 14.The wording of the provision makes it clear that enlargement of time is a matter of judicial discretion. That discretion is not exercised as a matter of course merely upon an application being made. The applicant bears the burden of placing before the Court sufficient material explaining the failure to comply with the prescribed timelines and demonstrating why, in the interests of justice, the intended procedural step ought to be permitted out of time. 15.The Court has considered the nature of the reliefs sought by the Respondent in the Notice of Motion dated 24th February 2026. The application seeks, inter alia, leave to file and prosecute an objection/reference to the taxation out of time, setting aside of the taxation of the Advocate-Client Bill of Costs dated 23rd June 2025 and the Certificate of Taxation issued on 3rd December 2025, and remission of the said Bill of Costs for taxation afresh before a different Taxing Officer. 16.The Court observes that the reliefs sought are interdependent and must be considered sequentially. The prayer for enlargement of time to file a reference constitutes the foundation upon which the subsequent prayers for setting aside the taxation, vacating the Certificate of Taxation, and remitting the Bill of Costs for fresh taxation are anchored. Unless leave is first granted to enlarge time, there exists no competent reference upon which the Court may consider the substantive reliefs sought. 17.Accordingly, the Court must first determine whether the Respondent has satisfied the threshold for enlargement of time under Rule 11(4) of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order. In the event that such leave is declined, the consequential prayers seeking to set aside the taxation and Certificate of Taxation and to remit the Bill of Costs for fresh taxation cannot arise for consideration, there being no competent challenge to the taxation before the Court. 18.In determining whether to exercise its discretion, the Court must consider the circumstances surrounding the delay, the explanation advanced, the conduct of the parties, whether the delay has been satisfactorily accounted for, and whether the grant of the orders sought would serve the interests of justice. 19.In the present matter, the Respondent's explanation for failing to participate in the taxation proceedings is that auctioneers acting on instructions levied distress against its property and carried away various household and office goods. The Respondent contends that, as a consequence, its premises were left in disarray and critical documents and paperwork were displaced and became inaccessible. 20.The Court has considered the explanation advanced. While the Court appreciates that the circumstances described by the Respondent may have occasioned disruption to its operations, the explanation does not satisfactorily account for the entire period of delay in seeking relief from this Court. 21.The record before Court demonstrates that the Respondent was duly notified of the taxation proceedings. The Advocate/Applicant has exhibited an Affidavit of Service sworn by Ayienda Dennis Ongeri on 26th September 2025 confirming service of the Advocate-Client Bill of Costs and the Notice of Taxation upon the Respondent. The Respondent has neither challenged the said affidavit of service nor placed before this Court any evidence demonstrating that the Bill of Costs and Notice of Taxation were not served upon it. 22.The Court therefore finds that the Respondent had notice of the taxation proceedings and an opportunity to participate therein. The taxation proceeded in its absence and a ruling was delivered on 15th October 2025. Thereafter, the Respondent did not immediately seek the intervention of the Court. 23.Of significance is that the Firm of Mwangangi Nzisa & Associates Advocates entered appearance on behalf of the Respondent on 28th November 2025, vide the Notice of Appointment dated 27th November 2025, after the ruling on taxation had already been delivered. At that stage, the Respondent had legal representation and was capable of obtaining advice and taking appropriate steps in relation to the taxation proceedings. 24.However, despite having counsel on record, the Respondent did not move the Court with promptitude. No explanation has been offered as to why, after entry of appearance on 27th November 2025, the Respondent waited for approximately three months before filing the present application on 24th February 2026 seeking leave to challenge the taxation out of time. 25.The Court is guided by the decision of the Supreme Court in Nicholas Kiptoo Arap Korir Salat v Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & 7 Others [2014] eKLR, where the Court held that extension of time is not a right of a party but an equitable remedy available only to a deserving party at the discretion of the Court. The applicant bears the burden of laying a sufficient basis for the exercise of that discretion, including providing a reasonable explanation for the delay and demonstrating that the application has been brought without undue delay. 26.In Njeri Njoroge v Joseph Maina Gichuhi & Another [2018] KECA 29 (KLR), the Court of Appeal reiterated that an applicant seeking extension of time must satisfactorily explain the delay and demonstrate sufficient basis for the Court to exercise its discretion in his or her favour. The relevant considerations include the length of delay, the reasons advanced, the prejudice likely to be occasioned to the opposing party, and the overall interests of justice. 27.A party seeking the Court's discretion must demonstrate diligence once the circumstances said to have prevented compliance cease to exist. In the absence of any explanation accounting for the period after counsel came on record, the Court is not persuaded that the Respondent has demonstrated sufficient cause to warrant the indulgence sought. 28.The timing of the application is also a relevant consideration. The Advocate/Applicant had already filed the application dated 9th December 2025 seeking entry of judgment on the Certificate of Taxation. The Respondent's application dated 24th February 2026 was filed thereafter. The Court cannot overlook that the application was presented only after steps had been taken towards enforcement of the Certificate of Taxation. 29.In the circumstances, the Court is persuaded that the application was not brought as a prompt attempt by the Respondent to challenge the taxation, but rather as a reaction to the Advocate/Applicant's application for Judgment. The application bears the character of a reactive measure instituted after enforcement proceedings had commenced. 30.The Court is further guided by the principle that taxation proceedings under the Advocates (Remuneration) Order are governed by defined timelines and procedures. As held in Machira & Co. Advocates v Arthur K. Magugu & Another [2012] eKLR, parties are required to comply with the procedure and timelines prescribed under the Order, which are intended to ensure the expeditious determination of taxation disputes. 31.Similarly, in Ramuka Agencies Limited v Kirima [2024] KEELC 5378 (KLR), the Court emphasized that litigants cannot disregard mandatory procedural requirements and subsequently seek the Court's indulgence without sufficient justification. The Court further reiterated that Article 159(2)(d) of the Constitution is not a panacea for all procedural shortcomings. 32.Having considered the circumstances of this matter, the Court finds that the Respondent has failed to demonstrate sufficient cause to warrant the exercise of discretion under Rule 11(4) of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order. The delay has not been satisfactorily explained, particularly the period after the Respondent obtained legal representation, and the circumstances presented do not justify the reopening of concluded taxation proceedings. 33.Having considered the material placed before it, this Court finds that the Respondent has failed to demonstrate sufficient cause to warrant the exercise of discretion under Rule 11(4) of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order. The application for leave to file and prosecute a reference out of time is therefore declined. Consequently, and there being no competent reference before the Court upon which the taxation may be interrogated, the prayer seeking to set aside the ruling on taxation delivered on 15th October 2025, together with the resultant Certificate of Taxation issued on 3rd December 2025, is likewise declined. In the absence of any basis for disturbing the taxation, the further prayer seeking remission of the Advocate-Client Bill of Costs for fresh taxation before a different taxing officer cannot be sustained and is accordingly declined. The Respondent’s Notice of Motion dated 24th February 2026 is therefore without merit and is hereby dismissed with costs. Whether the Advocate/Applicant has satisfied the threshold for entry of Judgment under Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act 34.The second issue for determination is whether the Advocate/Applicant has satisfied the legal threshold for entry of judgment on the Certificate of Taxation issued on 3rd December 2025. 35.The Advocate/Applicant’s application is premised on Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act, Cap 16 of the Laws of Kenya. The said provision provides as follows:General provisions as to taxation 1.Every application for an order for the taxation of an advocate’s bill or for the delivery of such a bill and the delivering up of any deeds, documents and papers by an advocate shall be made in the matter of that advocate. 2.The certificate of the taxing officer by whom any bill has been taxed shall, unless it is set aside or altered by the Court, be final as to the amount of the costs covered thereby, and the Court may make such order in relation thereto as it thinks fit, including, in a case where the retainer is not disputed, an order that Judgment be entered for the sum certified to be due with costs. 36.The import of the above provision is that once an Advocate-Client Bill of Costs has been subjected to taxation and a Certificate of Taxation issued, the certificate becomes final and conclusive as to the amount of costs due unless the same is set aside or altered by the Court. Where the retainer between an Advocate and Client is not disputed, the Court is empowered to enter judgment for the amount certified as due. 37.The Court is guided by the decision in Musyoka & Wambua Advocates v Rustam Hira Advocates [2006] eKLR, where it was observed that Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act grants the Court discretion to enter judgment on a Certificate of Taxation which has not been set aside or altered, particularly where no dispute exists as to the retainer. 38.The Court stated as follows:“Section 51 of the Act makes general provisions as to taxation, as the marginal note indicates. One of the provisions is that the Court has discretion to enter Judgment on a Certificate of Taxation which has not been set aside or altered or where there is no dispute as to retainer. This, in my view is a mode of recovery of taxed costs provided for by law in addition to filing suit …..." 39.The rationale behind Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act is that once the Taxing Officer has undertaken the taxation process and certified the amount due, the certificate provides a simplified mechanism for recovery of such costs without requiring an Advocate to institute separate proceedings. However, the certificate remains subject to challenge where a party successfully demonstrates grounds for setting aside or alteration. 40.In the present matter, the record demonstrates that the Advocate/ Applicant filed an Advocate-Client Bill of Costs dated 23rd June 2025 against the Respondent. The Bill of Costs was served upon the Respondent on 26th September 2025. The taxation proceeded and the taxing officer delivered a ruling on 15th October 2025, taxing the Bill of Costs in the sum of Kshs.97,607/=. A Certificate of Taxation was subsequently issued on 3rd December 2025. 41.The Advocate/Applicant contends that despite the issuance of the Certificate of Taxation and notification of the taxed amount, the Respondent has failed and/or neglected to settle the certified costs. It is therefore the Applicant’s position that the requirements for entry of Judgment under Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act have been met. 42.The Respondent opposes the application for judgment through the Replying Affidavit of Emma Change sworn on 25th February 2026. The Respondent contends that it did not participate in the taxation proceedings because auctioneers acting on instructions had levied distress against its property, resulting in the removal of household and office goods and the displacement of important documents. 43.The Respondent further disputes the quantum of costs awarded and challenges the date from which interest is claimed. It is the Respondent’s position that Judgment ought not to be entered in circumstances where it was allegedly prevented from participating in the taxation process and where it disputes the amount awarded. 44.This Court has considered the Respondent’s opposition. The Court appreciates that the Respondent has raised concerns regarding its absence during taxation. However, those concerns were the subject of the Respondent’s application dated 24th February 2026 seeking leave to file a reference out of time and to set aside the taxation and Certificate of Taxation. 45.Having considered and dismissed the said application, the Certificate of Taxation issued on 3rd December 2025 remains valid and has not been set aside, altered or stayed. This Court cannot, in an application for judgment under Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act, reopen the merits of the taxation or reconsider the quantum of costs assessed by the Taxing Officer. The Court’s jurisdiction at this stage is limited to determining whether the statutory conditions for entry of judgment have been met. 46.The Respondent’s dispute regarding the amount awarded could only be pursued through the appropriate process of challenging the taxation. Having failed to obtain leave to challenge the taxation out of time, the Respondent cannot rely upon the same objections as a basis for defeating enforcement of a Certificate of Taxation which remains valid and binding. 47.The Court further notes that there is no dispute regarding the Advocate/Applicant’s retainer. The Respondent’s opposition is not founded on the absence of an advocate-client relationship but rather on the circumstances surrounding its failure to participate in taxation and its dissatisfaction with the amount taxed. In the absence of a dispute as to retainer and in the absence of a successful challenge to the Certificate of Taxation, the statutory threshold under Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act has been satisfied. 48.The Court is further guided by the decision in Lubulellah & Associates, Advocates v N. K. Brothers Limited [2014] eKLR, where the Court held:“The law is very clear that once a Taxing Master has taxed the costs, issued a Certificate of Costs and there is no reference against his ruling or there has been a ruling and a determination made and not set aside and/or altered, no other action would be required from the court save to enter Judgment. An Applicant is not required to file suit for the recovery of costs. The Certificate of Costs is final as to the amounts of the costs and the court would be quite in order to enter Judgment in favour of the Applicant against the Respondent herein for the taxed sum indicated in the Certificate of Taxation that was issued on 25th November, 2012." 49.Applying the above principles, this Court finds that the Advocate/ Applicant has satisfied the requirements for entry of Judgment. The Certificate of Taxation issued on 3rd December 2025 remains undisturbed, the retainer is not disputed, and the amount certified by the taxing officer remains due and payable. 50.With regard to the claim for interest, the Respondent has disputed the date from which interest is claimed. The Court has considered the said objection alongside the provisions governing interest on an Advocate’s fees. 51.Rule 7 of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order permits an Advocate to charge interest upon fees due and payable by a client in accordance with the conditions stipulated therein. The said provision recognizes an Advocate’s entitlement to claim interest on unpaid costs where the requisite conditions have been satisfied. 52.The Court notes that the Bill of Costs was served upon the Respondent on 26th September 2025 and that the interest claimed from 26th October 2025 corresponds with the period contemplated under Rule 7 of the Advocates (Remuneration) Order. 53.Having considered the circumstances of this matter, this Court finds no basis for denying the Advocate/Applicant interest as claimed. The Respondent’s challenge to the taxation having failed, the amount certified by the taxing officer remains due and payable. The Advocate/Applicant is therefore entitled to Judgment for the taxed sum together with interest at the rate claimed from 26th October 2025 until payment in full. 54.Accordingly, this Court finds that the Advocate/Applicant’s Notice of Motion dated 9th December 2025 is merited and the same succeeds. 55.Consequently, the Court makes the following orders:a.The Respondent’s Notice of Motion dated 24th February 2026 is hereby dismissed.b.Judgment is hereby entered in favour of the Advocate/ Applicant against the Respondent for the sum of Kenya Shillings Ninety-Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-Seven (Kshs.95,867).c.A decree shall issue for the sum of Kenya Shillings Ninety-Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-Seven (Kshs. 95,867) together with interest at the rate of 14% per annum from 26th October 2025 until payment in full.d.The Respondent shall pay the Applicant the costs of the application assessed at Kshs.30,000/=.Orders accordingly. File closed accordingly. DATED, SIGNED, AND DELIVERED AT KIAMBU ON THIS 28TH DAY OFJULY, 2026.________________________________BAHATI MWAMUYEJUDGEIn the Presence Of:Counsel for the Applicant -Counsel for the Respondent -Court Assistant -