CHINA ROAD AND BRIDGE CORPORATION LTD V. NYIRANDABARUTA N’UNDI

CHINA ROAD AND BRIDGE CORPORATION LTD V. NYIRANDABARUTA N’UNDI

The extraction of laterite by China Road and Bridge Corporation Ltd from land associated with Nyirandabaruta Spéciose Kibonge, without agreement or payment, constitutes a civil tort and not a commercial act. Therefore, the ordinary civil court has jurisdiction. Nyirandabaruta Spéciose Kibonge demonstrated sufficient...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCAA 00027/2022/CA
Parties
Appellant: China Road and Bridge Corporation Ltd; Respondent: Nyirandabaruta Spéciose Kibonge; Intervener: Akarere ka Kirehe
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
27 February 2023
Case Number
RCAA 00027/2022/CA
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Jurisdiction of Courts, Distinction Between Commercial and Civil Acts, Standing to Sue, Ownership and Property Rights, Tortious Liability
Civil Procedure Property Law Tort Law Jurisdiction of Courts Distinction Between Commercial and Civil Acts Standing to Sue Ownership and Property Rights Tortious Liability

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Parties

China Road and Bridge Corporation Ltd

Appellant

Nyirandabaruta Spéciose Kibonge

Respondent

Akarere ka Kirehe

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the dispute falls under the jurisdiction of commercial courts or ordinary civil courts
  2. 2 Whether Nyirandabaruta Spéciose Kibonge had standing and interest to sue for the extraction of laterite from the land
  3. 3 Whether the acts of China Road and Bridge Corporation Ltd constituted a commercial act or a civil tort

Ratio Decidendi

The extraction of laterite by China Road and Bridge Corporation Ltd from land associated with Nyirandabaruta Spéciose Kibonge, without agreement or payment, constitutes a civil tort and not a commercial act. Therefore, the ordinary civil court has jurisdiction. Nyirandabaruta Spéciose Kibonge demonstrated sufficient legal interest and standing to sue based on purchase agreements and subsequent registration, even if the mutation was completed after the suit was filed. The appeal by China Road and Bridge Corporation Ltd is without merit.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The judgment of the High Court, Rwamagana Chamber, ordering that Nyirandabaruta Spéciose Kibonge's claim be admitted and tried on the merits in the Primary Court of Ngoma, is upheld.
  • The security for costs deposited by China Road and Bridge Corporation Ltd is deemed to cover the proceedings.