[2022] KEHC 16030 (KLR)

[2022] KEHC 16030 (KLR)

The court found that the applicant failed to demonstrate any error of principle by the taxing officer in assessing the advocate-client bill of costs. The taxing officer correctly determined the instruction fees based on the value of the subject matter as disclosed in the arbitral award and pleadings, in line with...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2022] KEHC 16030 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: Zadok Furniture Systems Limited; Respondent: Lubulellah & Associates Advocates
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Miscellaneous Civil Application E068 of 2021
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Reference Against Taxation and Application for Judgment on Certificate of Costs
Outcome
Reference against taxation dismissed; certificate of taxation adopted as judgment; no interest awarded; costs to respondent/advocate.
Judges
A Mshila
Legal Topics
Advocate Client Costs, Taxation of Costs, Arbitration Costs, Instruction Fees, Review of Taxing Officer Decision
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Commercial and Corporate Advocate Client Costs Taxation of Costs Arbitration Costs Instruction Fees Review of Taxing Officer Decision

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Parties

Zadok Furniture Systems Limited

Applicant

Lubulellah & Associates Advocates

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Reference Against Taxation and Application for Judgment on Certificate of Costs

  1. 1 Whether the taxing officer applied wrong principles of law in assessing the advocate-client bill of costs, warranting setting aside, review, or reassessment of the ruling delivered on January 14, 2022.
  2. 2 Whether judgment should be entered as per the certificate of taxation together with interest at 14% per annum from February 17, 2021, and a decree issued.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the applicant failed to demonstrate any error of principle by the taxing officer in assessing the advocate-client bill of costs. The taxing officer correctly determined the instruction fees based on the value of the subject matter as disclosed in the arbitral award and pleadings, in line with established legal principles. The court rejected the applicant's argument that the advocate was not entitled to full instruction fees for joining the matter midway, citing binding authority that instruction fees are static and not affected by the stage of proceedings. The court also found that the applicant did not properly raise or prove the alleged payments to the advocate, and...

Court Disposition

Reference against taxation dismissed; certificate of taxation adopted as judgment; no interest awarded; costs to respondent/advocate.

Orders

  • The application dated February 7, 2022 seeking to set aside or review the taxing officer's decision is dismissed with costs to the respondent/advocate.
  • The application dated February 23, 2022 is partially allowed.