RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY LTD_v_RWANDA_AGRICULTURE BOARD RAB

RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY LTD_v_RWANDA_AGRICULTURE BOARD RAB

The surety (Radiant Insurance Company Ltd) is liable to pay the outstanding advance payment to RAB because the advance is not considered payment for work performed but must be reimbursed in full as per Article 89 of the Public Procurement Law and the terms of the guarantee. The guarantee only expires after full...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCOMAA 00026/2018/CA
Parties
Appellant: Radiant Insurance Company Ltd; Respondent: Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB)
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
8 February 2019
Case Number
RCOMAA 00026/2018/CA
Procedural Posture
Commercial Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment
Outcome
Appeal by RAB allowed; cross-appeal by Radiant Insurance Company Ltd dismissed.
Legal Topics
Advance Payment Guarantee, Public Contracts, Surety Liability, Contract Termination, Recovery of Advance Payments
Source Language
rw
Public Procurement Insurance Law Contract Law Advance Payment Guarantee Public Contracts Surety Liability Contract Termination Recovery of Advance Payments

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Parties

Radiant Insurance Company Ltd

Appellant

Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Commercial Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the surety (Radiant Insurance Company Ltd) is liable to pay the outstanding advance payment to RAB when the contract was terminated before full reimbursement of the advance, despite the contractor having performed works exceeding the advance amount.
  2. 2 Whether RAB was rightfully ordered to pay damages to Radiant Insurance Company Ltd by the lower court.
  3. 3 Whether Radiant Insurance Company Ltd is entitled to damages for being drawn into unnecessary litigation.

Ratio Decidendi

The surety (Radiant Insurance Company Ltd) is liable to pay the outstanding advance payment to RAB because the advance is not considered payment for work performed but must be reimbursed in full as per Article 89 of the Public Procurement Law and the terms of the guarantee. The guarantee only expires after full reimbursement, and the value of works performed does not offset the obligation to repay the advance. The lower court erred in releasing the surety from liability based on the value of works performed. RAB was not liable for damages to the surety, and the surety is not entitled to damages for being drawn into litigation.

Court Disposition

Appeal by RAB allowed; cross-appeal by Radiant Insurance Company Ltd dismissed.

Orders

  • Radiant Insurance Company Ltd to pay Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) 54,017,468 Frw as the outstanding advance payment.
  • Radiant Insurance Company Ltd to reimburse RAB 100,000 Frw for court security deposit.