Malawi Case Law

Jumbe v Kasema and 1 other (MSCA Miscellaneous Civil Application 46 of 2023)

Jumbe v Kasema and 1 other (MSCA Miscellaneous Civil Application 46 of 2023) [2024] MWSC 2 (11 January 2024)

Court

Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

MSCA Miscellaneous Civil Application 46 of 2023

The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed an interlocutory injunction application, holding it was improperly before the court without a pending appeal and was barred by statutory notice rules.

• Jurisdiction of appellate courts
• Interlocutory injunctions
• Distress for rent
• Suits against government
• Adequacy of damages
• Clean hands doctrine

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Tembo v GVH Mseteza, Matsukwa and Sitima (Land Cause 11 of 2022)

Tembo v GVH Mseteza, Matsukwa and Sitima (Land Cause 11 of 2022) [2022] MWHC 158 (29 March 2022)

Court

High Court of Malawi

Case number

Land Cause 11 of 2022

The High Court of Malawi dismissed an application for interlocutory injunction in a land dispute, holding that the status quo favoured the defendants' continued use of the land.

• Interlocutory injunctions
• Status quo maintenance
• Adequacy of damages
• Deceased estates
• Land inheritance
• Interlocutory-injunctions

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Nyamala & Others v Malawi Revenue Authority

Nyamala & Others v Malawi Revenue Authority (Judicial Review 12 of 2021) [2022] MWHC 16 (28 January 2022)

Court

High Court of Malawi

Case number

Judicial Review 12 of 2021

There is a serious question to be tried regarding the legality of the seizure, damages are not an adequate remedy due to the constitutional nature of the rights involved, and the balance of convenience favours granting the injunction. The defendant failed to justify the seizure, and the vehicles are not subject to current criminal proceedings.

Source excerpt

• Interlocutory injunctions
• Property rights
• Seizure of property
• Adequacy of damages

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Mhango v Chabwera (Land Case 13 of 2018)

Mhango v Chabwera (Land Case 13 of 2018) [2018] MWHC 867 (28 September 2018)

Court

High Court of Malawi

Case number

Land Case 13 of 2018

The High Court of Malawi continued an interlocutory injunction in a land dispute and refused joinder of Malawi Housing Corporation as a party.

• Injunctions
• Joinder of parties
• Trespass
• Title to land
• Adequacy of damages
• Joinder-of-parties

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Chabulika v Registered Trustees of Muslim Association of Malawi and Matola

Chabulika v Registered Trustees of Muslim Association of Malawi and Matola (Civil Cause 37 of 2018) [2018] MWHCCiv 29 (19 April 2018)

Court

High Court of Malawi Civil Division

Case number

Civil Cause 37 of 2018

The High Court of Malawi continued an interlocutory injunction in a defamation claim, finding a triable issue and that damages may not adequately protect reputation.

• Interlocutory injunction
• Adequacy of damages
• Material disclosure
• Balance of convenience
• Defamation
• Interlocutory-injunction

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Mkandawire v Malawi Housing Corporation

Mkandawire v Malawi Housing Corporation (Civil Cause 18 of 2017) [2017] MWHC 54 (3 February 2017)

Court

High Court of Malawi

Case number

Civil Cause 18 of 2017

The High Court of Malawi granted an interlocutory injunction in a tenancy dispute, finding a triable issue over alleged sub-letting and balancing convenience in the tenant’s favour.

• Interlocutory injunctions
• Tenancy termination
• Sub-letting
• Adequacy of damages
• Balance of convenience
• Interlocutory-injunctions

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Maranatha International Academy Ltd v Petroda (Malawi) Ltd

Maranatha International Academy Ltd v Petroda (Malawi) Ltd (Civil Cause 466 of 2013) [2013] MWHC 1 (26 November 2013)

Court

High Court of Malawi

Case number

Civil Cause 466 of 2013

The High Court of Malawi refused an interim injunction sought by a tenant to stop a landlord’s distress for rent and eviction, finding damages adequate and no serious triable issue.

• Interim injunctions
• Distress for rent
• Eviction
• Adequacy of damages
• Common law rights
• Sheriff's powers

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Chimtengo v Memayako & Ors. (None)

Chimtengo v Memayako & Ors. (None) [2013] MWHC 485 (14 November 2013)

Court

High Court of Malawi

The High Court of Malawi declined an interim injunction in a chieftaincy dispute, holding that the plaintiff had not shown a strong arguable claim and the balance of convenience favored refusal.

• Chieftaincy disputes
• Interim injunctions
• Balance of convenience
• Status quo
• Adequacy of damages
• Interim-injunctions

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Joubertina Furnishers (Pty) Ltd t/a Carnival Furnitures v Lilongwe City Mall (None)

Joubertina Furnishers (Pty) Ltd t/a Carnival Furnitures v Lilongwe City Mall (None) [2013] MWHC 443 (2 May 2013)

Court

High Court of Malawi

There were no serious factual or legal issues raised to warrant interim relief; the distress for rent was lawful, the Sheriff of Malawi did not require a bailiff certificate, and damages would be an adequate remedy for the plaintiff. The balance of justice and convenience favored refusing the injunction.

Source excerpt

• Distress for rent
• Interlocutory injunctions
• Registered land act
• Sheriff's powers
• Adequacy of damages

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Daudi v SUCOMA

Daudi v SUCOMA (Civil Cause 3191 of 2003) [2003] MWHC 93 (23 December 2003)

Court

High Court of Malawi

Case number

Civil Cause 3191 of 2003

The High Court of Malawi granted an interlocutory injunction preserving a sugar distribution contract pending trial, finding serious issues and inadequate damages.

• Interlocutory injunction
• Breach of contract
• Specific performance
• Adequacy of damages
• Interlocutory-injunction
• Contract-termination

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