MURENZI v MUTABAZI N’UNDI

MURENZI v MUTABAZI N’UNDI

The Supreme Court held that the expert report, though initially lacking oaths, was regularized when the experts testified under oath in the High Court; Murenzi's improper backfilling and construction caused the wall's collapse; damages were properly assessed; Murenzi and Uwamahoro are liable to Mutabazi,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RLR V.1-2024
Parties
Applicant: Murenzi Alphonse; Applicant: Uwamahoro Jacqueline; Respondent: Mutabazi Abayo Jean Claude; Respondent: Muhawenimana Joselyne; Intervener: SANLAM Assurances Générales Plc
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
30 June 2022
Case Number
RS/INJUST/RC 00009/2021/SC
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal (revision) / Supreme Court Final Judgment
Outcome
Applicant's (Murenzi's) revision claim dismissed; High Court judgment affirmed with minor modifications.
Legal Topics
Expert Evidence, Burden of Proof, Causation, Damages, Building Code Compliance, Insurance Subrogation, Appeal and Revision, Costs and Fees
Source Language
rw
Civil Procedure Tort Law Evidence Law Insurance Law Construction Law Expert Evidence Burden of Proof Causation +5 more

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Parties

Murenzi Alphonse

Applicant

Uwamahoro Jacqueline

Applicant

Mutabazi Abayo Jean Claude

Respondent

Muhawenimana Joselyne

Respondent

SANLAM Assurances Générales Plc

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (revision) / Supreme Court Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the expert report relied upon by the High Court should be invalidated for lack of oath/signature or dissent among experts
  2. 2 What caused the collapse of the wall and who is liable
  3. 3 How damages should be assessed and who should pay them

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that the expert report, though initially lacking oaths, was regularized when the experts testified under oath in the High Court; Murenzi's improper backfilling and construction caused the wall's collapse; damages were properly assessed; Murenzi and Uwamahoro are liable to Mutabazi, Muhawenimana, and SANLAM; expert fees and costs are to be borne by Murenzi as the losing party.

Court Disposition

Applicant's (Murenzi's) revision claim dismissed; High Court judgment affirmed with minor modifications.

Orders

  • Murenzi Alphonse and Uwamahoro Jacqueline to pay Mutabazi Abayo Jean Claude and Muhawenimana Joselyne 740,000 Frw for costs and fees as per High Court judgment.
  • Murenzi Alphonse and Uwamahoro Jacqueline to reimburse SANLAM Assurances Générales Plc 2,183,000 Frw for insurance payout.