[2018] KEHC 642 (KLR)
The court found that the certificate of taxation for Kshs. 43,848 had not been set aside or altered and there was no dispute as to retainer. In accordance with Section 51 of the Advocates Act and the cited case law, the court exercised its discretion to enter judgment for the applicant. Regarding interest, the court...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 642 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Onsongo & Company Advocates; Respondent: African Merchant Assurance Company Limited
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Civil Application 184 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Judgment
- Outcome
- application allowed in full
- Judges
- TW Cherere
- Legal Topics
- Taxation of Costs, Advocate Remuneration, Certificate of Taxation, Interest on Costs
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Onsongo & Company Advocates
Applicant
African Merchant Assurance Company Limited
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the certificate of costs should be converted into a judgment and decree issued accordingly.
- 2 Whether interest at 14% per annum on taxed costs is payable from the appropriate date.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the certificate of taxation for Kshs. 43,848 had not been set aside or altered and there was no dispute as to retainer. In accordance with Section 51 of the Advocates Act and the cited case law, the court exercised its discretion to enter judgment for the applicant. Regarding interest, the court applied Rule 7 of the Advocates Remuneration Order, determining that interest at 14% per annum was payable from 30 days after the date the respondent's counsel entered appearance, which was taken as the date of service of the bill. The application was thus allowed in full, with judgment for the taxed sum, interest as specified, and costs of the application to the advocate.
Court Disposition
application allowed in full
Orders
- Judgment entered for the advocate against the respondent for Kshs. 43,848.
- Interest to accrue on the taxed costs at 14% per annum from 19th January 2018 until payment in full.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
30 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KISUMU
(CORAM: CHERERE-J)
MISC. CIVIL APPLICATION NO 184 OF 2017
ONSONGO & COMPANY ADVOCATES...................................................APPLICANT/ADVOCATE
VERSUS
AFRICAN MERCHANT ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED.................RESPONDENT/CLIENT
JUDGMENT
1. By a notice of motion dated 25. 8.17, brought under Rule 13 of the Advocates Remuneration Order, 2019; the applicant prays for orders:-
a) THAT the certificate of costs dated arising out of the taxation be converted into a judgment and a decree be issued accordingly
b) THAT interest on taxed costs be awarded at 14% p.a until payment in full
2. The motion is premised on the grounds on the body of the application and the supporting affidavit of Richard B.O.Onsongo, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, sworn on 28. 8.17. He avers that on instructions from the client, applicant acted in MASENO SRMCC NO. 62 OF 2010 THERESA ATIENO V DICSON NDUNGU KIREMBE & ANOR. He avers that the bill of costs in respect of services rendered was taxed for the sum of Kshs. 43,848/-and a certificate of taxation was issued for the said sum on 9th August, 2018. He further avers that the client has not paid the said amount and the applicant requests for judgment for the entire sum.
3. When the application came for hearing on 30. 10. 18, the respondent’s counsel submitted that the application was not opposed.
4. In the case of Musyoka & Wambua Advocates Vs Rustam Hira Advocate (2006) eKLRit was held: -
“Section 51 of the Act makes general provisions as to taxation, as the marginal note indicates. One of those provisions is that the court has discretion to enter judgment on a Certificate of Taxation which has not been set aside or altered, where there is no dispute as to retainer. This in my view is a mode of recovery of taxed costs provided by law, in addition to filing of suit......
5. There is no dispute as to retainer. As it stands now the Certificate of Taxation has not been set aside or altered. In the circumstances, I see no reason to deny the Advocate, judgment as sought.
6. I have considered the provisions of Rule 7 of the Advocates Remuneration Order which provides: -
“An advocate may charge interest at 14% per annum on his disbursements and costs, whether by scale or otherwise, from the expiration of one month from the delivery of his bill to the client, providing such claim for interest is raised before the amount of the bill has been paid or tendered in full.”
7. The rate of interest awardable is 14% per annum applicable from 30 days after the date of service of either the Bill of Costs. There is no evidence to show when the Bill of Costs was served. I will therefore apply 19th December, 2017 when the respondent’s counsel entered appearance as the date of service of the Bill. Thirty (30) days from 19th December, 2017 expired on 19th January, 2018.
8. The upshot of this is that the notice of motion dated 25. 8.17 succeeds and is allowed in the following terms:
a) Judgment is hereby entered for the advocate against the Respondent for Kshs. 43,848/-
b) Interest shall accrue on the taxed costs at 14% per annum from 19. 1.18 until payment in full
c) The Advocate will also have the costs of this application.
DATED AND SIGNED IN KISUMU THIS 20th DAY OF December 2018
T.W. CHERERE
JUDGE
Read in open court in the presence of-
Court Assistant - Felix
For the Applicant /Advocate - Mr Muia/Mr Onsongo
For the Respondent/Client - Ms Barasa