Abazungura ba Nzisabira v Rwanda Foam

Abazungura ba Nzisabira v Rwanda Foam

The Supreme Court found that the successors of Nzisabira Trojan had status and interest as legal heirs. The contract between Rwanda Foam and Nzisabira was valid and binding, but null as Rwanda Foam was not the owner. The buyers were entitled to restitution of the purchase price and damages, but not to rent fees or...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCOMAA 0033/13/CS
Parties
Appellant: Successors of Nzisabira Trojan; Respondent: Rwanda Foam Ltd
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
6 June 2014
Case Number
RCOMAA 0033/13/CS
Procedural Posture
Commercial Appeal / Supreme Court Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; previous judgment changed.
Legal Topics
Sale of Immovable Property, Nullity of Contract, Damages for Invalid Sale, Procedural Admissibility, Restitution of Purchase Price, Procedural and Advocate Fees
Commercial Law Contract Law Civil Procedure Sale of Immovable Property Nullity of Contract Damages for Invalid Sale Procedural Admissibility Restitution of Purchase Price +1 more

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Parties

Successors of Nzisabira Trojan

Appellant

Rwanda Foam Ltd

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Commercial Appeal / Supreme Court Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the successors of Nzisabira Trojan had status and interest to file the claim
  2. 2 Whether the contract between Rwanda Foam and Nzisabira Trojan was valid
  3. 3 Whether damages and restitution were owed for the invalid sale of property not owned by the seller

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court found that the successors of Nzisabira Trojan had status and interest as legal heirs. The contract between Rwanda Foam and Nzisabira was valid and binding, but null as Rwanda Foam was not the owner. The buyers were entitled to restitution of the purchase price and damages, but not to rent fees or added value, as the property was returned to its true owner. Procedural and advocate fees were awarded in a reduced amount. No penalty for provisional execution was ordered as there was no evidence of non-execution.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part; previous judgment changed.

Orders

  • Rwanda Foam to pay successors of Nzisabira Trojan 8,300,000 Rwf in damages (including restitution, damages, and procedural/advocate fees)
  • Rwanda Foam to pay 24,000 Rwf in court fees within 8 days or by government coercion