RUBAYIZA v SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd

RUBAYIZA v SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd

Compensation for permanent disability under 30% resulting from a motor vehicle accident must be calculated using the statutory minimum wage (SMIG) as defined in Presidential Decree No. 31/01, not the actual salary, regardless of the applicant's employment status. Supreme Court precedents are binding and must be...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RS/INJUST/RC 00026/2022/SC
Parties
Applicant: Rubayiza Jean Paul; Respondent: SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
24 April 2023
Case Number
RS/INJUST/RC 00026/2022/SC
Procedural Posture
Civil / Supreme Court Review of High Court Judgment for Injustice (revision)
Outcome
Applicant's revision dismissed; High Court judgment upheld.
Legal Topics
Compensation for Motor Vehicle Accident, Calculation of Damages, Permanent Disability, Application of Presidential Decree, Stare Decisis
Source Language
rw
Tort Insurance Civil Procedure Compensation for Motor Vehicle Accident Calculation of Damages Permanent Disability Application of Presidential Decree Stare Decisis

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Parties

Rubayiza Jean Paul

Applicant

SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil / Supreme Court Review of High Court Judgment for Injustice (revision)

  1. 1 How should compensation for permanent disability under 30% from a motor vehicle accident be calculated?
  2. 2 Should compensation be based on actual salary or statutory minimum wage (SMIG)?
  3. 3 Does the Supreme Court follow High Court precedent or its own?

Ratio Decidendi

Compensation for permanent disability under 30% resulting from a motor vehicle accident must be calculated using the statutory minimum wage (SMIG) as defined in Presidential Decree No. 31/01, not the actual salary, regardless of the applicant's employment status. Supreme Court precedents are binding and must be followed by lower courts.

Court Disposition

Applicant's revision dismissed; High Court judgment upheld.

Orders

  • Rubayiza Jean Paul to pay SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd 500,000 Frw for advocate fees and 300,000 Frw for litigation costs, totaling 800,000 Frw.
  • High Court judgment No. RCA 00325/2019/HC/KIG remains valid in all its provisions.