[2022] KEELRC 198 (KLR)
The court found that the claimant failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to justify setting aside the order dismissing the suit for want of prosecution. The claimant's explanation for non-attendance, namely the alleged mis-diarisation by his advocate, was unsupported by an affidavit from the advocate or...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEELRC 198 (KLR)
- Parties
- Claimant: Zaverio Bundi M’Thiruaine; Respondent: National Cereals and Produce Board
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 944 of 2018
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application to Set Aside Dismissal for Want of Prosecution
- Outcome
- application dismissed
- Judges
- M Mbarũ
- Legal Topics
- Dismissal for Want of Prosecution, Setting Aside Orders, Mistake of Advocate, Right to Be Heard
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Zaverio Bundi M’Thiruaine
Claimant
National Cereals and Produce Board
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application to Set Aside Dismissal for Want of Prosecution
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the order dismissing the suit for want of prosecution should be set aside due to the claimant's non-attendance caused by advocate's error.
- 2 Whether the claimant was condemned unheard in violation of the right to be heard.
- 3 Whether the materials presented by the claimant are sufficient to justify setting aside the dismissal.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the claimant failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to justify setting aside the order dismissing the suit for want of prosecution. The claimant's explanation for non-attendance, namely the alleged mis-diarisation by his advocate, was unsupported by an affidavit from the advocate or primary evidence such as the actual diary extract. The court held that the claimant was given an opportunity to be heard but failed to attend and protect his interests. The materials presented in support of the application were not attributable to the claimant and could not be relied upon. Consequently, the court concluded that there was no good cause to set aside the...
Court Disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The application dated 19th February, 2021 is dismissed.
- Costs awarded to the respondent.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
27 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
CAUSE NO.944 OF 2018
ZAVERIO BUNDI M’THIRUAINE .......................................... CLAIMANT
VERSUS
NATIONAL CEREALS AND PRODUCE BOARD …..........RESPONDENT
RULING
The claimant filed application dated 19th February, 2021 seeking for orders that the order given on 26th January, 2021 dismissing the claim for want of prosecution be set aside on the grounds that on the said date the respondent’s application dated 22nd July, 2020 coming up for hearing the claimant or his advocate did not attend as counsel had mis-diarised the matter for hearing on 25th February, 2021 instead of 26th January, 2021 when the suit was dismissed for want of prosecution.
Prior to 26th January, 2021 the claimant had requested for a mention date for directions on 1st December, 2020 and on such date the advocate was handling an ELC matter and this led to the confusion.
On 26th January, 2021 the claimant was condemned unheard and should not be punished for mistake of advocate.
In reply, the respondent filed the Replying Affidavit of John Ng’etich the company secretary and head of legal services and avers that there is no sufficient ground for the grant of the application and no good reason is given as to why there was non-attendance in court on 26th January, 2021. The reason given that the advocate mis-diarised the matter cannot be verified and such matter is manufactured. The claimant failed to demonstrate what steps had been taken to secure a date for hearing to prosecute his case.
The claimant cannot claim he was condemned unheard since he was allocated a date and failed to attend to protect his interests. There is still no good cause of action given to justify the grant of the application and should be dismissed with costs.
Parties addressed the application by way of written submissions.
The claimant submitted that the mistake and error of advocate should not be visited against the client and relied on the case of Shah v Mbogo [1967] EA; Patriotic Guards Ltd v James Kipchirchir Sambu [2018] eKLR and that there shall be no prejudice against the respondent if the claimant is heard on his case.
The respondent submitted that the claimant had failed to demonstrate sufficient cause for his nonattendance in court on 26th January, 2021 when the suit was dismissed for want of prosecution as held in Captain Philip Ongom v CatherineNyero Owotta [2003] KLR; Wachira Karni v Bildad Wchira [2016] eKLR; Rose Wambui Gikonyo v Ismael Juma Matiku [2019] eKLR and that to set aside judgement must be on sufficient and good cause and cannot issue automatically. The claimant has failed to demonstrate why he deserves he orders sought.
Determination
The claimant filed his Memorandum of Claim on 13th June, 2018 and the respondent filed a response on 26th July, 2018.
on 1st December, 2020 parties were allocated a hearing date for respondent’s application dated 22nd July, 2020 seeking for dismissal of the claimant’s case for want of prosecution. A hearing date was allocated for 26th January, 2021. On the due date the claimant did not attend. The application was allowed and suit dismissed for want of prosecution.
The claimant was required to attend court on 26th January, 2021 to answer as to why he had not prosecuted his case. There is no Replying Affidavit to challenge this application. No effort is taken to secure his rights herein.
The Supporting Affidavit attached to the application is that of the claimant. The advocate who failed to attend court on 26th January, 2021 and whose alleged diary had a mis-diarisation has not attached his/her affidavit and the diary extract is not that of the claimant. He cannot speak to the facts of such a diary.
Matters of fact cannot be addressed by a third party. The diary extract is not primary evidence.
Failure to attend court on a date appointed is key to access to justice and rule of law. Justice cuts both ways. Non-attendance to secure ones right cannot be draconian or being condemned unheard since the claimant was given an opportunity for a hearing but failed to attend and the court finds no good cause to justify his non-attendance and the materials attached to support the application do not belong to him and cannot be relied upon.
The suit herein was dismissed for good cause. The court finds no matter for setting aside the order of dismissal of suit.
Application dated 19thFebruary, 2021 is hereby dismissed. Costs to the respondent.
DELIVERED AT NAIROBI IN OPEN COURT THIS 10TH DAY OF MARCH, 2022.
M. MBARU
JUDGE