Search judgments by proposition, citation, court, judge or legal topic, then move directly into the source-grounded case analysis.
Results update automatically as you type.
Zambia decisions
Decisions matching the current search
Chillerton Group Limited v Rudra Copper Limited (CAZ/08/291/2025) [2025] ZMCA 142 (26 November 2025)
The High Court lacked jurisdiction to make any orders, including the default judgment, because the Respondent was in receivership and had no locus standi to sue in its own name; all proceedings in the court below are null and void.
Source excerpt
Thabani Walima v Sibeso Ingombe and Anor (2023/HP/1292) [2025] ZMHC 109 (25 November 2025)
The High Court dismissed an application to stay execution of a writ of elegit, finding no arguable defence on the merits and no sufficient explanation for default.
Khembule Commodities Limited and Anor Nalikwanda Agro Processing Limited (Appeal No. 273/2024) [2025] ZMCA 152 (18 November 2025)
The Court of Appeal held that the High Court erred in entering Judgment on Admission in default of pleadings, as there was no clear or unequivocal admission by the Appellants. The absence of a defence does not entitle the plaintiff to a Judgment on Admission but rather to a default judgment. The Judgment on Admission was improperly entered and should have been set aside.
Source excerpt
Attorney General v Pythias Simukonda (Appeal No. 180/2023) [2025] ZMCA 117 (20 August 2025)
The Court of Appeal set aside a default judgment against the State for non-compliance with section 22 of the State Proceedings Act and sent the matter back for trial.
Percy Mussa v William Tembo (2020/HP/0448) [2024] ZMHC 280 (28 November 2024)
The defendant demonstrated an arguable defense on the merits regarding the legality of the seizure of goods under a warrant of distress, which outweighs the lack of a convincing explanation for the default. Therefore, the default judgment should be set aside.
Source excerpt
Norman Koke v Alfred Tembo (2023/HP/1716) [2024] ZMHC 158 (30 September 2024)
The originating process was irregular and improperly before the court because the Plaintiff failed to obtain leave of court before issuing process for service out of jurisdiction as required by Order 10 rule 16.
Source excerpt
Panicco Engineering Limited v Marks Industries Limited (Appeal No. 292/2022) [2024] ZMCA 241 (10 September 2024)
The Court of Appeal held that a default judgment against one defendant could be set aside where the claim was intertwined with claims against other defendants and liability had to be determined together.
Jairos Sinyangwe v Twiza Corporative (2024/SID/33) [2024] ZMSUB 13 (6 August 2024)
The Subordinate Court awarded the plaintiff K14,000 plus interest and costs for unpaid wages under an oral employment contract, after the defendant failed to appear at trial.
Mary Nalwimba and Anor v Mansa Sugar Ltd (2024/HP/0037) [2024] ZMHC 122 (25 June 2024)
Default judgment cannot be entered for special damages without strict proof and establishment of liability, even if the defendant fails to appear or defend; the amount claimed must be proved and liability established at trial.
Source excerpt
Monde Mabuku Nyambe and Anor v Carlo Peter Testi and Anor (APPEAL No. 121/2022) [2024] ZMCA 156 (19 June 2024)
The Court of Appeal set aside a default judgment in a land sale dispute, holding the claim should have proceeded to trial as if a defence had been filed.
Explore more
