Braddrick Investments v The Attorney General (2021/HP/0728) [2025] ZMHC 132 (31 December 2025)

Braddrick Investments v The Attorney General (2021/HP/0728) [2025] ZMHC 132 (31 December 2025)

The State is vicariously liable for the unlawful disruption of the plaintiff's licensed timber operations by the District Commissioner and other state agents, as their actions were carried out under the purported authority of the State and not as a personal frolic. The plaintiff is entitled to damages for loss of...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] ZMHC 132
Parties
Plaintiff: Braddick Investments Limited; Defendant: Attorney General
Court
High Court of Zambia
Jurisdiction
Zambia
Case Number
2021/HP/0728
Procedural Posture
Civil / Judgment
Outcome
Plaintiff's claim for loss of prospective income succeeds subject to assessment of damages; exemplary damages awarded; other monetary claims dismissed for duplicity.
Legal Topics
Vicarious Liability, Breach of Contract, Exemplary Damages, State Liability, Forestry Regulation
Source Language
en
Contract Law Tort Law Administrative Law Vicarious Liability Breach of Contract Exemplary Damages State Liability Forestry Regulation

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Parties

Braddick Investments Limited

Plaintiff

Attorney General

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the State is vicariously liable for the actions of the District Commissioner and other state agents in disrupting the plaintiff's timber operations
  2. 2 Whether the plaintiff is entitled to damages for loss of prospective income and exemplary damages

Ratio Decidendi

The State is vicariously liable for the unlawful disruption of the plaintiff's licensed timber operations by the District Commissioner and other state agents, as their actions were carried out under the purported authority of the State and not as a personal frolic. The plaintiff is entitled to damages for loss of prospective income and exemplary damages, but not to a double recovery for expenses already encompassed in the loss of income claim.

Court Disposition

Plaintiff's claim for loss of prospective income succeeds subject to assessment of damages; exemplary damages awarded; other monetary claims dismissed for duplicity.

Orders

  • Damages for loss of prospective income to be assessed by the Registrar of the High Court.
  • Exemplary damages awarded in the sum of K40,000.00.