[2023] KEELC 16124 (KLR)
The court held that while the plaintiff was the successful party and ordinarily entitled to costs, the special circumstances of the case—namely, the 1st defendant's ready concession of the claim, voluntary entry into consent, and the familial relationship between the parties—constituted good reason to depart from...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEELC 16124 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Siprosa Atieno Otuo; Defendant: Boaz Oguna Oluoch; Defendant: District Land Registrar – Kisumu
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case E051 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Environment and Land Case / Ruling on Costs After Consent Judgment
- Outcome
- Plaintiff awarded half the costs of the suit.
- Judges
- E Asati
- Legal Topics
- Costs Award, Consent Judgment, Discretion on Costs
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Siprosa Atieno Otuo
Plaintiff
Boaz Oguna Oluoch
Defendant
District Land Registrar – Kisumu
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Environment and Land Case / Ruling on Costs After Consent Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff is entitled to costs after the suit was compromised by consent.
- 2 Whether special circumstances justify a departure from the general rule that costs follow the event.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that while the plaintiff was the successful party and ordinarily entitled to costs, the special circumstances of the case—namely, the 1st defendant's ready concession of the claim, voluntary entry into consent, and the familial relationship between the parties—constituted good reason to depart from the general rule. Exercising its discretion under section 27 of the Civil Procedure Act, the court awarded the plaintiff half the costs of the suit rather than full costs.
Court Disposition
Plaintiff awarded half the costs of the suit.
Orders
- The plaintiff is awarded half the costs of the suit.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
Otuo v Oluoch & another (Environment & Land Case E051 of 2021) [2023] KEELC 16124 (KLR) (16 March 2023) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEELC 16124 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Environment and Land Court at Kisumu
Environment & Land Case E051 of 2021
E Asati, J
March 16, 2023
Between
Siprosa Atieno Otuo
Plaintiff
and
Boaz Oguna Oluoch
1st Defendant
District Land Registrar – Kisumu
2nd Defendant
Ruling
1. The suit herein was compromised through a consent entered into by the Plaintiff and the 1st Defendant vide which the Plaintiff’s claim as contained in the Originating summons was granted. The parties were however unable to agree on the issue of costs and left it to the court for determination.
2. Section 27 of the Civil Procedure Act gives the court discretion on costs of and incidental to all suits and further gives the court full power to determine by whom and out of what property and to what extent such costs are to be paid. The proviso to that section is to the effect that the costs of any action cause or other matter shall follow the event unless the court shall for good reason otherwise order.
3. Given the terms of the consent, it is clear that the Plaintiff is the successful party in the action as his claim has been allowed hence entitled to costs. However, the special circumstances of the case namely; that the 1st Defendant readily conceded the claim and voluntarily entered into the consent thereby settling the dispute without engaging in protracted litigation, secondly as it appears from the affidavits filed, the parties are related, form good reason for me to exercise the discretion given by law and order otherwise. In the premises I award the plaintiff half the costs of the suit.
4. Orders accordingly.
RULING, DATED AND SIGNED AT KISUMU, READ VIRTUALLY THIS 16TH DAY OF MARCH 2023 THROUGH MICROSOFT TEAMS ONLINE APPLICATION.E. ASATI,JUDGE.In the presence of:Maureen: Court Assistant.No appearance for the Plaintiff.Defendant present in personNo appearance for the 2nd Defendant.