RUBAYIZA v SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd

RUBAYIZA v SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd

Compensation for permanent disability less than 30% must be calculated using the statutory minimum wage (SMIG) as provided by Presidential Order No. 31/01 of 25/08/2003, Article 17, regardless of the applicant's actual salary. The Supreme Court is not bound by High Court precedent and confirms the High Court's...

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 Appeal (review) / Supreme Court Final Judgment
Outcome
Applicant's claim for review dismissed; High Court judgment affirmed; partial legal costs awarded to respondent.
Legal Topics
Compensation for Personal Injury, Motor Vehicle Accident, Calculation of Damages, Permanent Disability, Application of Statutory Minimum Wage
Source Language
rw
Civil Law Insurance Law Tort Law Compensation for Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Accident Calculation of Damages Permanent Disability Application of Statutory Minimum Wage

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Parties

Rubayiza Jean Paul

Applicant

SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (review) / Supreme Court Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether compensation for permanent disability less than 30% should be calculated based on actual salary or statutory minimum wage (SMIG)
  2. 2 Whether the Supreme Court is bound by High Court precedent in calculation of damages
  3. 3 Entitlement to additional damages and legal costs

Ratio Decidendi

Compensation for permanent disability less than 30% must be calculated using the statutory minimum wage (SMIG) as provided by Presidential Order No. 31/01 of 25/08/2003, Article 17, regardless of the applicant's actual salary. The Supreme Court is not bound by High Court precedent and confirms the High Court's calculation method. The applicant's claim for review on grounds of injustice is dismissed, and the respondent is awarded partial legal costs.

Court Disposition

Applicant's claim for review dismissed; High Court judgment affirmed; partial legal costs awarded to respondent.

Orders

  • The application for review by Rubayiza Jean Paul is dismissed for lack of merit.
  • The High Court judgment (Nº RCA 00325/2019/HC/KIG) remains in full force.