Rwanda Case Law

ICYEGERANYO GIHURIZAHAMWE IMIRONGO YATANZWE N'URUKIKO RW'UBUJURIRE: NYAKANGA 2022-KAMENA2025

Court

Court of Appeal

The core holding is that the Court of Appeal's precedents from July 2022 to June 2025 establish binding interpretations on jurisdiction, procedure, evidence, remedies, and substantive law across civil, commercial, labour, administrative, insurance, family, tax, and criminal matters. Lower courts and litigants must follow these lines unless overruled or changed by law. Procedural compliance, evidentiary sufficiency, and adherence to statutory and contractual obligations are mandatory. Remedies are limited to those proven and allowed by law. Precedent is binding unless expressly overruled.

Source excerpt

• Jurisdiction
• Appeals
• Procedure
• Evidence
• Contracts
• Torts

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IMIRONGO SC FEBUARY - APRIL 2024

Court

Supreme Court

Supreme Court digest of several civil, commercial, and constitutional matters, including accident compensation, bank guarantees, procedural revival, and constitutional competence.

• Personal injury compensation
• Insurance claims
• Bank loan guarantees
• Procedural diligence
• Constitutional review
• Professional entry requirements

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UWASABWIMANA vs RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY LTD

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA 00014/2023/HC/MUS

Radiant Insurance Company failed to act within the statutory period to coordinate a joint medical assessment after being notified of disagreement with its doctor's report. Therefore, the court was entitled to rely on the applicant's doctor's report for the degree of disability and uphold the first instance damages. Additional claims for loss of work opportunity and legal fees were denied due to lack of proof and partial success, respectively.

Source excerpt

• Personal injury compensation
• Medical evidence
• Insurance claims
• Appeal procedure

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UWASABWIMANA vs RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY LTD

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA 00014/2023/HC/MUS

Radiant Insurance Company failed to act within the statutory period to coordinate a joint medical assessment after being notified of disagreement with its doctor's report. Therefore, the court was entitled to rely on the applicant's doctor's report indicating 40% disability. Claims for loss of work opportunity and legal fees were denied due to lack of proof of employment and partial success in the appeal, respectively.

Source excerpt

• Personal injury compensation
• Medical evidence
• Insurance claims
• Appeal procedure

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ORACION TRADING LTD v SANLAM

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA00080/2022/HC/MUS

The High Court held that a damages claim by a non-contracting party against an insurer belonged before the ordinary courts, set aside the lower ruling, and ordered the claim admitted.

• Jurisdiction
• Insurance claims
• Contractual relationships
• Insurance-law
• Civil-procedure
• Appellate-review

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ORACION TRADING LTD v SANLAM

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA00080/2022/HC/MUS

The High Court held that a non-contracting party’s accident-related damage claim against an insurer belongs in the ordinary courts, not the commercial court.

• Jurisdiction of courts
• Insurance claims
• Standing of non-contracting parties
• Jurisdiction-of-courts
• Insurance-claims
• Civil-procedure

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SONARWA Ltd v. SALEX CORPORATION Ltd

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RCOMA 0050/12/CS

The Supreme Court held that SALEX Corporation Ltd was not liable for damage to sugar after loading under CFR/FOB terms, and partially upheld SALEX’s cross-appeal on damages.

• Liability for damaged goods
• Carrier liability
• Insurance claims
• Contract interpretation
• Damages
• Carrier-liability

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GAKIRE v. SONARWA S.A

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RCOMA 0087/11/CS

The Supreme Court held that a motor insurer was not liable under a tous risques policy where the vehicle was driven by a person without a valid licence.

• Motor vehicle insurance
• Insurance claims
• Validity of driving license
• Burden of proof
• Contractual exclusions
• Motor-vehicle-insurance

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