UTC v. RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY
- Citation
- RCOMA 0086/10/CS
- Status
- Commercial
- Jurisdiction
- Rwanda
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Decision
- 6 May 2011
- Posture
- Commercial Contract Appeal / Supreme Court Appellate Judgment
- Case number
- RCOMA 0086/10/CS
More details
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Decision
- 6 May 2011
- Posture
- Commercial Contract Appeal / Supreme Court Appellate Judgment
- Case number
- RCOMA 0086/10/CS
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The Supreme Court found that UNION TRADE CENTER had properly served notice of termination through a duly authorized court bailiff, fulfilling contractual and legal requirements. Therefore, RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY was not entitled to damages for lack of notice. The respondent's new claim regarding pre-litigation negotiation was inadmissible at the appellate stage. The appellant's counterclaim for defamation and legal fees was also inadmissible as it was not properly raised in writing before the close of first instance proceedings.
Court disposition
Appeal partially allowed; cross-appeal dismissed.
Orders
- No damages payable by UNION TRADE CENTER to RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY.
- Judgment of the High Commercial Court (R.COMA 0055/10/HCC) reversed in all relevant parts.
- RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY to pay court costs of 21,800 Frw within 15 days or subject to enforcement.
02
Material facts
Parties
UNION TRADE CENTER
Appellant Counsel: Me BANDORA AlfredRWANDA CLEANING COMPANY
Respondent Counsel: Me NDAGIJIMANA Emmanuel, Me MUCYESHA DavidAmounts and remedies
- Damages Initially Awarded by High Commercial Court: Frw 28,776,878
- Legal Fees and Follow Up Costs Initially Awarded: Frw 1,000,000
- State Surcharge Initially Awarded: Frw 1,191,075
- Total Initial Award to Respondent: Frw 29,776,878
- Court Costs Ordered by Supreme Court: Frw 21,800
03
Procedural history
Posture
Commercial Contract Appeal / Supreme Court Appellate Judgment
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether UNION TRADE CENTER terminated the cleaning contract without proper notice
- 02
Whether the respondent was entitled to damages for lack of notice
- 03
Whether new claims can be introduced at the appellate stage
- 04
Whether the counterclaim for defamation and legal fees was properly raised
Party arguments
- Applicant
- UNION TRADE CENTER argued that it provided proper notice of termination through a court bailiff with authority, and that the lower court erred in awarding damages for lack of notice. It also claimed its counterclaim for damages due to defamation and legal fees was improperly dismissed.
- Respondent
- RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY argued that the contract was terminated without proper notice, that the notice letter was forged or improperly served, and that the bailiff lacked authority. It also sought damages for lack of notice and objected to the counterclaim being considered.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Article 21, Law No. 31/2001 of 12/06/2001
A professional court bailiff has authority to serve notice unless excluded by law or conflict of interest.
- 02
Article 4(2), Law No. 18/2004 as amended; Article 351 nonies, Law No. 45/2007
New claims cannot be introduced for the first time at the appellate stage; claims must be raised in writing before the close of first instance proceedings.
- 03
Article 8, contract of 01/03/2008; Article 21, Law No. 31/2001
Damages for contract termination without notice are not due if proper notice was served as per contract and law.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The Supreme Court found that UNION TRADE CENTER had properly served notice of termination through a duly authorized court bailiff, fulfilling contractual and legal requirements. Therefore, RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY was not entitled to damages for lack of notice. The respondent's new claim regarding pre-litigation negotiation was inadmissible at the appellate stage. The appellant's counterclaim for defamation and legal fees was also inadmissible as it was not properly raised in writing before the close of first instance proceedings.
Obiter and limits
- The use of a professional bailiff for service of notice is valid unless a statutory or relational conflict exists.
- Appellate courts cannot entertain new claims not raised at first instance.
Court disposition
Appeal partially allowed; cross-appeal dismissed.
- No damages payable by UNION TRADE CENTER to RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY.
- Judgment of the High Commercial Court (R.COMA 0055/10/HCC) reversed in all relevant parts.
- RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY to pay court costs of 21,800 Frw within 15 days or subject to enforcement.
Source and reliance status
Supreme Court · 6 May 2011
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Supreme Court
Commercial· 6 May 2011
UTC v. RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY
- Source: Amategeko - Section: Decisions (Judgements) - Date: 2011-05-06 - Case/document no.: RCOMA 0086/10/CS - Collection: Supreme Court
Text
Page 1
UTC v. RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’IKIRENGA – 2011SC – RCOMA 0086/10/CS ( Mugenzi, P.J., Mukamurisa na Rugabirwa, J.) Kuwa 06 Gicurasi 2011] Amategeko y’ubucuruzi – Amasezerano yo gukora isuku – Ntibyavugwa ko amasezerano yasheshwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko mu gihe umuhesha w’inkiko ubifitiye ububasha yamenyekanishije ibaruwa y’integuza – Umuburanyi ntiyasaba urukiko gusuzuma ikirego gishya kiregera kwiregura gitangiwe ubwambere mu rwego rw’ubujurire . Itegeko n° 31/2001 ryo kuwa 12/06/2001, ingingo ya 21 rishyiraho Urugaga rw’Abahesha b’Inkiko, Itegeko n° 18/2004 ryo kuwa 20/06/2004, ingingo ya 4,igika cya 2 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi Amategeko y’ubucuruzi – Agaciro k’ikirego kitaratanzwe munyandiko,na mbere yuko iburanishwa ry’ibanze risozwa . Itegeko n° 45/2007 ryo kuwa 11/09/2007 rihindura kandi ryuzuza itegeko n° 18/2004 ryo kuwa 20/06/2004, ingingo ya 351 . Incamke y’ikibazo : Uwajuririye yagiranye amasezerano y’imyaka ibiri yo gukora isuku mu nyubako z’uwarezwe yo kuva kuwa 01/03/2008 kugera kuwa 01/03/2010. Uwajuririye yaje gusesa amasezerano . Uwarezwe yaje kumurega mu Rukiko Rukuru rw’Ubuccuruzi avuga ko uwajuririye yasheshe amasezerano nta nteguza, nta n’imishyikirano y’ubwumvikane yabanjirije iseswa ryayo.Uru rukiko narwo rwategetse uwajuririye kwishyura uwarezwe indishyi
zijyanye no gusesa amasezerano nta nteguza.Uwajuririye nawe yajuririye Urukiko rw’Ikirenga avuga ko urukiko rubanza rwayiciye indishyi z’uko yasheshe amasezerano nta nteguza kandi we avuga ko mbere yo gusesa ayo amasezerano, yari yaratanze integuza . Incamake y’icyemezo : 1. Uwarezwe ntaho yahera asaba indishyi z’uko uwajuririye yasheshe amasezerano atayihaye integuza mu gihe ikiburanwa kidashobora guhindurwa mu rukiko rwajuririwe. yakoresheje umuhesha w’inkiko w’umwuga wari ubifitiye ububasha mu guha uwarezwe ibaruwa y’integuza ayimenyesha ko nyuma y’iminsi 30 ayo masezerano azaseswa.Bigaragara rero ko mbere yo kuyasesa uwajuririye yari yarahaye uwarezwe integuza.
2. Uwajuririye ntiyavuga ko urukiko rubanza rwirengagije gusuzuma ikirego kirega kwiregura mu gihe itegeko ryo riteganya ko ikirego kiregera kwiregura gikorwa mu buryo bwanditse kandi kigatangwa mbere yuko iburanisha rya mbere rirangira kandi we atarabikoze. Nta kirego gishya cyakwakirwa mu rwego rw’ubujurire . Ubujurire bufite ishingiro kuri bimwe. Ubujurire bwuririye kubundi nta shingiro bufite. Imikirize y’urubanza irahindutse ku ngingo zayo zose. Amagarama y’urubanza aherereye kuwarezwe.
Page 2
Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko N°45/2007 ryo kuwa 11/09/2007 rihindura kandi ryuzuza itegeko N° 18/2004 ryo kuwa 20/06/2004, ingingo ya 351, Itegeko N° 31/2001 ryo kuwa 12/06/2001, ingingo ya 21 rishyiraho Urugaga rw’Abahesha b’Inkiko, Itegeko N° 18/2004 ryo kuwa 20/06/2004, ingingo ya 4, igika cya 2 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi . Nta manza zifashishijwe: Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY yagiranye amasezerano na UNION TRADE CENTER yo kuyikorera isuku mu nyubako yayo iri mu Mujyi wa Kigali, ayo masezerano akaba yari kuzamara igihe cy’imyaka ibiri, ni ukuvuga kuva kuwa 01/03/2008 kugera kuwa 01/03/2010. [2] UNION TRADE CENTER yasheshe ayo masezerano, RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY iyirega mu Rukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi, urubanza rucibwa kuwa 13/08/2010, rutegeka UNION TRADE CENTER guha RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY 28.776.878 Frw y’indishyi z’iseswa ry’amasezerano nta nteguza no gutanga 1.000.000 Frw y’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka, yose hamwe akaba 29.776.878 Frw, ikanatanga 1.191.075 Frw y’umusogongero wa Leta. [3] UNION TRADE CENTER ivuga ko Urukiko rubanza rwayiciye indishyi kandi mbere yo gusesa amasezerano yari yaratanze integuza, naho RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY igasaba indishyi z’uko ayo masezerano yasheshwe nta nteguza, nta n’imishyikirano y’ubwumvikane yabanjirije iseswa ryayo. [4]
UNION TRADE CENTER yajuririye Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, urubanza ruburanishwa mu ruhame kuwa 31/03/2011, ihagarariwe na Me BANDORA Alfred, naho RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY ihagarariwe na Me NDAGIJIMANA Emmanuel na Me MUCYESHA David. II. IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURWA RYABYO 1. Kumenya niba UNION TRADE CENTER yarasheshe amasezerano nta nteguza [5] Uburanira UNION TRADE CENTER avuga ko umucamanza wa mbere yasesenguye nabi ingingo za 18, 19 na 20 z’Itegeko n° 31/2001 ryo kuwa 12/06/2001 rishyiraho Urugaga rw’Abahesha b’Inkiko mu Rwanda n’ingingo ya 6 y’amasezerano yo kuwa 01/03/2008, maze ayica indishyi z’iseswa ry’amasezerano nta nteguza, yirengagiza nyamara ko umuhesha w’inkiko yifashishije mu kumenyesha RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY ibaruwa y’integuza yo kuwa 04/08/2008, yari abifitiye ububasha n’ubwo umunyamabanga wayo yanze kuyakira ku bw’akagambane.
Page 3
[6] Ababuranira RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY bakavuga ko igomba guhabwa indishyi kuko UNION TRADE CENTER yasheshe ayo masezerano itayihaye integuza, bagasobanura ko bishoboka ko ibaruwa y’integuza yo kuwa 04/08/2008, ari impimbano kuko itagaragajwe mu iburanisha ry’ibanze, ko n’umuhesha w’inkiko wiyambajwe mu kuyitanga atari abifitiye ububasha kuko UNION TRADE CENTER ari ikigo cyigenga, kikaba cyaragombaga kuyinyuza ku iposita nk’uko ayo masezerano yabiteganyaga. [7] Kuri iki kirego, Urukiko rurasanga Urukiko rubanza rwemeje ko amasezerano UNION TRADE CENTER yagiranye na RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY kuwa 01/03/2008, yasheshwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko kuko RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY itahawe integuza kuko yahawe ibaruwa y’integuza n’umuhesha w’inkiko utabifitiye ububasha. [8] Urukiko rurasanga nyamara hakurikijwe ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 21 y’Itegeko n° 31/2001 ryo kuwa 12/06/2001 rishyiraho Urugaga rw’Abahesha b’Inkiko mu Rwanda, umuhesha w’inkiko w’umwuga afite ububasha bwo gukorera muntu wese umwitabaje, keretse kwikorera inyandiko we ubwe, kuyikorera abafitanye isano nawe ubwe, abafitanye isano n’uwo bashakanye kugeza ku gisanira cya kane, sosiyete ye n’iyo afitemo imigabane cyangwa sosiyete y’abafitanye isano nawe bamaze kuvugwa. Bigaragara rero ko integuza yatanzwe n’umuhesha w’inkiko ubifitiye ububasha. [9] Ku bijyanye n’ubwumvikane RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY ishingiraho isaba
indishyi z’uko UNION TRADE CENTER yasheshe amasezeraho yirengagije ibyateganywaga n’ingingo ya 9 y’ayo masezerano yateganyaga ko mbere yo kuregera Urukiko hagomba kubanza gukemura ikibazo mu bwumvikane, cyananirana, hakaregerwa Urukiko rubifitiye ububasha, Urukiko rurasanga ari ikirego gishya gitangiwe bwa mbere mu rwego rw’ubujurire, kuko kitaregewe mu rwego rwa mbere cyangwa ngo kiburanweho, bityo kikaba kitagomba kwakirwa hakurikijwe ibiteganywa n’ingingo ya 4, igika cya 2, y’itegeko n° 18/2004 ryo kuwa 20/06/2004 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi nk’uko ryahinduwe kandi ryujujwe kugeza ubu, iteganya ko ikiburanwa kidashobora guhindurwa na gato mu Rukiko rwajuririwe ndetse n’ingingo yaryo ya 168, igika cya 1, iteganya ko ku rwego rw’ubujurire hadashobora kuregerwa ikirego gishya . [10] Urukiko rurasanga kuba UNION TRADE CENTER yarakoresheje umuhesha w’inkiko w’umwuga wari ubifitiye ububasha mu guha RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY ibaruwa y’integuza yo kuwa 04/08/2008 yayimenyeshaga ko nyuma y’iminsi 30 ayo masezerano azaseswa, bigaragara ko mbere yo kuyasesa, UNION TRADE CENTER yari yarayihaye integuza yateganywaga n’ingingo ya 8 y’ayo masezerano, bityo nta ndishyi UNION TRADE CENTER igomba gutanga, nta n’impamvu yo gusuzuma ubujurire bwa RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY bwuririye ku bwayo bugamije gusaba ko ariyo yahabwa indishyi.
2. Kumenya niba umucamanza wa mbere yarirengagije gusuzuma ikirego kiregera kwiregura cya UNION TRADE CENTER [11] Uburanira UNION TRADE CENTER avuga ko Urukiko rubanza rwanze gusuzuma ikirego kiregera kwiregura cyayo, aho yasabaga 6.500.000 Frw y’indishyi z’uko RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY yayisebeje n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka, ariko ko ubu isaba 7.500.000 Frw, kandi yari yaratanze icyo kirego mu nyandiko no mu iburanisha ry’urubanza.
Page 4
[12] Uburanira RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY avuga ko iyo mpamvu y’ubujurire ya UNION TRADE CENTER nta shingiro ifite kuko umucamanza wa mbere yasobanuye ko icyo kirego cyagombaga gutangwa mu nyandiko na mbere yuko iburanisha ry’ibanze risozwa. [13] Ku bijyanye n’uburyo icyo kirego kigomba gutangwamo, ingingo ya 351 nonies y’itegeko n° 45/2007 ryo kuwa 11/09/2007 rihindura kandi ryuzuza itegeko n° 18/2004 ryo kuwa 20/06/2004 ryavuzwe haruguru iteganya ko ikirego kiregera kwiregura gikorwa mu buryo bwanditse, kikanatangwa mbere yo kurangiza iburanisha ry’ibanze. [14] Urukiko rurasanga nk’uko n’Urukiko rubanza rwabyemeje, ikirego kiregera kwiregura cya UNION TRADE CENTER kitaragombaga kwakirwa kuko itagitanze mu buryo bwanditse na mbere yuko iburanisha ry’ibanze rirangira. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [15] RWEMEYE kwakira ubujurire bwa UNION TRADE CENTER n’ubujurire bwa RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY bwuririye ku bundi kuko bwatanzwe mu buryo n’inzira bikurikije amategeko; [16] RWEMEJE ko ubujurire bwa UNION TRADE CENTER bufite ishingiro kuri bimwe, ko ubujurire bwa RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY bwuririye ku bwa UNION TRADE CENTER nta ishingiro bufite; [17] RWEMEJE ko nta ndishyi UNION TRADE CENTER igomba guha RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY; [18] RUVUZE ko imikirize y’urubanza R.COMA 0055/10/HCC rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi kuwa 13/08/2010 ihindutse mu ngingo zarwo zose. [19] RUTEGETSE RWANDA CLEANING COMPANY gutanga amagarama y’uru rubanza angana na 21.800 Frw, itayatanga mu gihe cy’iminsi cumi n’itanu, agakurwa mu byayo ku ngufu za Leta.
Case-aware research
Ask AI about this case
The judgment and available research above are public. New questions open in a separate private conversation grounded in this case.