[2019] KEHC 2153 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant was entitled to judgment for the taxed costs as the respondent did not dispute the retainer or oppose the application. The certificate of costs issued after taxation was valid and enforceable under Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act. The court further held that interest at 14% per...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEHC 2153 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Otieno, Ragot & Company Advocates; Respondent: Britam Insurance Company Limited
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Civil Application 90 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Judgment on Taxed Costs
- Outcome
- application allowed in full
- Judges
- TW Cherere
- Legal Topics
- Taxation of Costs, Advocate Client Relationship, Certificate of Costs, Interest on Costs
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Otieno, Ragot & Company Advocates
Applicant
Britam Insurance Company Limited
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Judgment on Taxed Costs
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the certificate of costs issued upon taxation should be adopted as a judgment and decree of the court.
- 2 Whether the applicant is entitled to interest on the taxed costs and from what date.
- 3 Whether the applicant is entitled to the costs of the application.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant was entitled to judgment for the taxed costs as the respondent did not dispute the retainer or oppose the application. The certificate of costs issued after taxation was valid and enforceable under Section 51(2) of the Advocates Act. The court further held that interest at 14% per annum was payable from 10th July 2019, the date of service of the certificate of costs, until payment in full, in accordance with Rule 7 of the Advocates Remuneration Order. The applicant was also awarded the costs of the application. The absence of opposition from the respondent and the regularity of the taxation process justified granting the orders sought.
Court Disposition
application allowed in full
Orders
- Judgment entered for the applicant against the respondent for Kshs. 128,904.80.
- Interest at 14% per annum from 10th July 2019 until payment in full.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
27 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KISUMU
(CORAM: CHERERE-J)
MISC. CIVIL APPLICATION NO 90 OF 2019
BETWEEN
OTIENO, RAGOT & COMPANY ADVOCATES.............APPLICANT/ADVOCATE
AND
BRITAM INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED...................RESPONDENT/CLIENT
RULING
1. By a Notice of Motion dated 11th July, 2019 and filed on 17th July, 2019, brought under the provisions of Section 51 (2) of the Advocates Act, the Applicant/Advocate seeks the following orders:
1) That the certificate of costs issued herein in respect of taxation order made on 31. 05. 19 for the sum of Kshs. 128,904. 80 (one hundred twenty-eight thousand, nine hundred four and eighty cents) be adopted as judgment and decree of this Honourable Court together with interest at 14% p.a from 07. 12. 17until payment in full
2) That costs of this application be borne by the Client/Respondent
2. The Respondent though served neither opposed the application nor sent representation when the matter came up for hearing on 01. 10. 19.
3. I have considered the Application in the light of the supporting affidavit and annexures thereto. The bill of costs was taxed at Kshs. 128,904. 80 and a certificate in respect thereof dated 10th July, 2019 was issued on 12th July, 2019.
4. The bill arose out of Kisumu CMCC NO. 405 OF 2012 Fredrick Omondi Akura v Jeconiah Vincent Onyango. The Respondent has not denied retaining the Advocate to act for its insured defendant and the Advocate/Applicant is therefore entitled to its costs.
5. The Bill of costs was served on the Respondent/Client on 10th June, 2019. I have considered the provisions of Rule 7 of the Advocates Remuneration Order and I find that interest from 10th July, 2019 until payment in full.
6. The upshot of this is that Notice of Motion dated 11th July, 2019 and filed on 17th July, 2019, succeeds and is allowed in the following terms:
a)Judgment is hereby entered for the Advocate/Applicant against the Respondent/Client forKshs. 128,904. 80 (one hundred twenty-eight thousand, nine hundred four and eighty cents)
b) Interest shall be paid at 14% from 10th July, 2019 till payment in full
c) The Advocate will also have the costs of this application.
DATED, DELIVERED AND SIGNED ON THIS 14th DAY OF November, 2019
T.W. CHERERE
JUDGE
Read in open court in the presence of-
Court Assistant - Amondi/Okodoi
For Applicant/Advocate - Ms. Sijenje hb Ms. Onsongo
For Respondent/Client - N/A