[2020] KEHC 3164 (KLR)
The court found that the advocate-client bill of costs had been taxed at Kshs. 1,278,254.88 and a certificate of taxation was issued. The respondent did not dispute the retainer or file any response. Under Rule 7 of the Advocates Remuneration Order, the advocate is entitled to interest at 14% per annum from one...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEHC 3164 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Otieno, Ragot & Company Advocates; Applicant: National Bank of Kenya Limited
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Civil Application 120 of 2016
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Judgment
- Outcome
- Judgment for the advocate for the taxed costs, with interest and costs of the application awarded.
- Judges
- TW Cherere
- Legal Topics
- Advocate Client Costs, Taxation 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
Respondent
National Bank of Kenya Limited
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the certificate of costs should be adopted as a judgment and decree of the court.
- 2 Whether the applicant is entitled to interest at 14% per annum on the taxed costs from the specified date.
- 3 Whether the applicant is entitled to the costs of the application.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the advocate-client bill of costs had been taxed at Kshs. 1,278,254.88 and a certificate of taxation was issued. The respondent did not dispute the retainer or file any response. Under Rule 7 of the Advocates Remuneration Order, the advocate is entitled to interest at 14% per annum from one month after service of the bill. The court held that judgment should be entered for the advocate for the taxed sum, with interest at 14% per annum from 07th July, 2016 until payment in full, and the advocate is also entitled to the costs of the application.
Court Disposition
Judgment for the advocate for the taxed costs, with interest and costs of the application awarded.
Orders
- Judgment is entered for the advocate against the respondent for Kshs. 1,278,254.88.
- Interest shall be paid at 14% per annum from 07th July, 2016 until payment in full.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
37 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT KISUMU
(CORAM: CHERERE-J)
MISC. CIVIL APPLICATION NO 120 OF 2016
BETWEEN
OTIENO, RAGOT & COMPANY ADVOCATES........................................ADVOCATE/RESPONDENT
AND
NATIONAL BANK OF KENYA LIMITED............................................................CLIENT/APPLICANT
JUDGMENT
1. By a notice of motion dated 28. 10. 16, brought under Section 51 of the Advocates Act Cap 16 Laws of Kenya; the Applicant prays for orders THAT: -
a. The certificate of costs dated 11. 10. 16 in respect of the taxation order made on 11. 10. 16 for the sum of Kshs. 1,278,254. 88 be adopted as judgment and decree of this Honourable Court
b. The applicant be awarded interest accrued on the costs at 14% per annum from 02. 09. 16 until payment in full
c. The costs of this application be borne by Client/Respondent
2. The motion is premised on the grounds on the body of the application among them that the Client/Respondent retained the Advocate/Applicant to act for it inKISUMU HCCC NO. 15 OF 2012 NYANZA MANAGEMENT LTD V NATIONAL BANK OF KENYA LTD & OTHERS and the supporting affidavit of David Otieno, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, sworn on 28. 10. 16. He avers that the Applicant filed an Advocate-Client Bill of Costs which was taxed at Kshs. 1,278,254. 88 and a certificate of taxation dated 11. 10. 16 was issued for the said sum on 26. 10. 16. That the Respondent has not paid the said amount and the Applicant requests for judgment for the entire sum.
3. I have perused the file as a whole and I did not see any response from the Respondent.
Analysis and Determination
4. I have considered the Notice of Motion in the light of supporting affidavit and annexures thereto.
5. The Advocate-Client Bill of Costs which was taxed at Kshs. 1,278,254. 88 and a certificate of taxation dated 11. 10. 16 was issued for the said sum on 26. 10. 16. Since retainer is not denied, the Advocate/Applicant is entitled to its costs.
6. 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 notice of taxation of the bill of costs was served on the firm of Otieno, Yogo & Ojuro & Company Advocates on behalf of the Respondent on 12. 08. 16. Interest shall therefore accrue at 14% per annum from 12. 09. 16.
8. In the end, it is therefore hereby ordered THAT:
a. Judgment is hereby entered for the advocate against the Respondent for Kshs. 1,278,254. 88 (one million, two hundred seventy-eight thousand, two hundred, fifty-four shillings and eighty-eight cents)
b. Interest shall be paid at 14% from 07thJuly, 2016 till payment in full
c. The Advocate will also have the costs of this application.
DATED IN KISUMU ON THIS 22nd DAY OF September, 2020
T.W. CHERERE
JUDGE
Court Assistants
For Client/Applicant
For Advocate/Respondent
- Ms. Amondi/Ms. Okodoi
- Mr. Ragot for Owiti, Otieno & Ragot Advocate
- Ms. Namsubo for Otieno,Yogo,Ojuro & Co. Advocates
Order
This Judgment has been delivered to the parties by electronic mail due to measures restricting court operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.