BEREXINVEST LTD v MINICOM n’abandi

BEREXINVEST LTD v MINICOM n’abandi

The partnership between BEREXINVEST LTD and MINICOM did not constitute a commercial contract as it lacked mutual obligations to buy or sell goods or services for consideration; thus, the Commercial Court lacked jurisdiction, and all its decisions in the matter are void.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCOMA 00100/2021/HCC
Parties
Applicant: BEREXINVEST LTD; Respondent: MINICOM (Ministry of Trade and Industry); Intervener: BIKORIMANA Firmin
Court
Commercial High Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
4 May 2022
Case Number
RCOMA 00100/2021/HCC
Procedural Posture
Commercial Appeal / Appellate
Outcome
Appeal allowed; Commercial Court decisions set aside for lack of jurisdiction.
Legal Topics
Jurisdiction of Commercial Courts, Nature of Administrative Contracts, Government Liability, Costs and Attorney Fees
Commercial Law Administrative Law Jurisdiction of Commercial Courts Nature of Administrative Contracts Government Liability Costs and Attorney Fees

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Parties

BEREXINVEST LTD

Applicant

MINICOM (Ministry of Trade and Industry)

Respondent

BIKORIMANA Firmin

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Commercial Appeal / Appellate

  1. 1 Whether the Commercial Court had jurisdiction over the dispute between BEREXINVEST LTD and MINICOM
  2. 2 Whether the partnership agreement constituted a commercial contract under Rwandan law
  3. 3 Entitlement to costs and attorney fees

Ratio Decidendi

The partnership between BEREXINVEST LTD and MINICOM did not constitute a commercial contract as it lacked mutual obligations to buy or sell goods or services for consideration; thus, the Commercial Court lacked jurisdiction, and all its decisions in the matter are void.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; Commercial Court decisions set aside for lack of jurisdiction.

Orders

  • All decisions of the Commercial Court in RCOM 01155/2020/TC are void.
  • BEREXINVEST LTD to pay MINICOM RWF 1,000,000 for costs incurred in the proceedings.