[2014] KEHC 4903 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant demonstrated good cause for the delay in filing the appeal. The evidence showed that the decision was brought to the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions close to the expiry of the appeal period, and the proceedings were received after the period had lapsed. The...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2014] KEHC 4903 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Respondent: Fredrick Kyalo Mutiso; Respondent: Alex Kyale Mutiso
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Machakos
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application 116 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Leave to Appeal Out of Time
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Judges
- LN Mutende
- Legal Topics
- Leave to Appeal Out of Time, Extension of Time, Criminal Appeals, Good Cause Requirement
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Fredrick Kyalo Mutiso
Respondent
Alex Kyale Mutiso
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Leave to Appeal Out of Time
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant has demonstrated good cause to warrant leave to appeal out of time.
- 2 Whether the delay in filing the appeal was justified under Section 349 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant demonstrated good cause for the delay in filing the appeal. The evidence showed that the decision was brought to the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions close to the expiry of the appeal period, and the proceedings were received after the period had lapsed. The application for leave was filed one month after the lapse, and the court was satisfied that the delay was not occasioned by the respondents' notice of intention to sue. The court further considered that the appeal had a high chance of success and that justice required the applicant to be heard. Therefore, the applicant was granted leave to appeal out of time within fourteen days.
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- Applicant is granted leave to appeal out of time within 14 days.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
20 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MACHAKOS
MISCELLANEOUS CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 116 OF 2013
REPUBLIC ………....…............................................ APPLICANT
VERSUS
FREDRICK KYALO MUTISO ….................. 1ST RESPONDENT
ALEX KYALE MUTISO ………………....... 2ND RESPONDENT
R U L I N G
The application dated 15th July 2013 is for leave to appeal out of time. It is premised on grounds that the applicant is aggrieved by the judgment of the Resident Magistrate; the outcome of the case was brought to the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions after lapse of the period allowed for appeal and the appeal has overwhelming chance of succeeding.
In a supporting affidavit, Brenda Nyabuto a prosecuting counsel reiterates what is stated in the grounds of appeal and states that it is in the interest of justice that the appeal be admitted so as to be heard on merit
Section 349 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides thus:
“An appeal shall be entered within fourteen days of the date of the order or sentence appealed against:
Provided that the court to which the appeal is made may for good cause admit an appeal after the period of fourteen days has elapsed, and shall so admit an appeal if it is satisfied that the failure to enter the appeal within that period has been caused by the inability of the appellant or his advocate to obtain a copy of the judgment or order appealed against, and a copy of the record, within a reasonable time of applying to the court therefor.”
Judgment in the case was delivered on the 30th May 2013. The duration within which the applicant could have appealed lapsed on the 14th June 2013 or thereabout. There is evidence of the decision of the court having been brought to the attention of the Director of Public Prosecution’s office on the 13th June 2013. Proceedings in the matter were received by the applicant’s office on the 18th June 2013. The application herein was filed on the 15th July 2013. This was one month after the time within which an appeal was allowed. The respondents notified the Attorney General of the intention to institute a civil claim a day after the application had been file. It can therefore not be said that the notice of intention to sue given is what prompted the applicant to file the instant application.
It has been stated that the appeal has a high chance of succeeding. Having perused the proceedings and judgment thereof it is apparent that justice would require the appellant being heard. Consequently a good cause has been demonstrated why the appeal should be heard.
From the foregoing I do grant the applicant leave to appeal out of time within 14 days.
It is so ordered.
DATED, SIGNEDand DELIVERED at MACHAKOS this21ST day of MAY, 2014.
L.N. MUTENDE
JUDGE