Court of Appeal of Zambia - 2017 October

13 judgments
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Results. 13 judgments found.

13 judgments
October 2017
Application to admit fresh evidence on appeal dismissed: evidence discoverable with diligence and would not have materially altered grant of specific performance.
  • Civil procedure — fresh/further evidence on appeal — test: reasonable diligence, credibility, probable material effect (Ladd v Marshall principle) — public/accessible documents — land law — capacity to contract v capacity to own land — specific performance and enforceability dependent on conveyancing formalities and state/presidential consent.
31 October 2017
No mesne profits absent landlord–tenant relationship; purchaser awarded damages for delayed possession and unjust enrichment remedy for guest wing occupancy.
  • Contract and remedies — specific performance and damages for delayed possession; mesne profits require landlord–tenant relationship; Statute of Frauds and written memorandum for land transactions; unjust enrichment for occupancy benefit; vendor liable for property transfer tax.
31 October 2017
Habeas corpus is inapplicable once detention ceases; appeal dismissed as academic and each party bears own costs.
  • Habeas corpus — prerogative remedy to secure immediate release — inapplicable where detention has ceased; mootness of habeas claims after nolle prosequi; limits on using habeas corpus to pre-empt criminal proceedings.
30 October 2017
Interlocutory injunction refused where applicants were squatters, no serious question to be tried; appeal dismissed.
  • Civil procedure — interlocutory injunctions; requirements: serious question to be tried, adequacy of damages, balance of convenience, clean hands — adverse possession/squatters; appellate limitation on facts not raised below.
26 October 2017
Court refused judgment on admission where illegible handwritten endorsement and lack of certified typewritten copy failed Rule requirements.
  • Civil procedure — Judgment on admission — Admissibility of handwritten endorsements — Requirement under Order V Rule 19 for certified typewritten/printed copy — Court satisfaction as to genuineness of defendant's signature under Order XXI Rule 5 — Triable issues where defence alleges failure of consideration.
26 October 2017
Whether directors may be joined and held personally liable under Section 383 for company debts where fraudulent trading is alleged.
  • Companies law — corporate personality — Salomon principle — piercing the corporate veil — Section 383 Companies Act — fraudulent trading — personal liability of directors — joinder in originating proceedings — creditor's remedy — multiplicity of actions
13 October 2017
A referred and exhibited agency agreement and an averment by necessary implication negated deemed admissions; judgment on admission was therefore improper.
  • Civil procedure — judgment on admission — Order 53 r.6 and Order 18/13 — pleadings — incorporation of exhibited contract into defence — traverse by necessary implication — agency — scope of papers-only applications.
13 October 2017
Ill-health and prior trial bail did not amount to exceptional circumstances to grant bail pending appeal.
  • Bail pending appeal — Court of Appeal Act s.18(1) — requirements: prima facie prospects of success, exceptional circumstances, or risk of serving substantial sentence — medical grounds evaluated — prior trial bail not determinative.
12 October 2017
Buyer entitled to reject unmerchantable goods; exclusion clause could not negate statutory implied terms and damages limited by duty to mitigate.
  • Sale of Goods Act — implied condition as to merchantability and fitness for purpose — buyer entitled to reject unmerchantable goods; Exclusion clauses — narrow construction; inability to exclude statutory implied conditions unless expressly done; Consumer protection/unfair terms; Duty to mitigate — claimant must take reasonable steps to minimise loss; Appellate review — factual findings not to be disturbed unless perverse or unsupported by evidence.
11 October 2017
The appellant failed to show a clear right or irreparable harm, so an interim injunction was inappropriate.
  • Interlocutory injunctions — requirement of clear right and irreparable harm — damages as adequate remedy — burden of proof in civil cases — evidential weight of documentary exhibits.
5 October 2017
Summary dismissals were wrongful and unfair for lack of charges and a hearing; damages beyond notice upheld, leave pay to be assessed.
  • Employment law — wrongful and unfair dismissal — disciplinary procedure and audi — misapplication of disciplinary code clauses — damages beyond contractual notice for abrupt summary dismissal — entitlement to pay for days worked and accrued leave.
5 October 2017
Employee's participation in restructuring consultations and failure to object amounted to acquiescence; retrenchment and payment were lawful.
  • Employment law — redundancy and retrenchment — variation of written contract by acquiescence — notice, consultation and opportunity to object — computation of redundancy benefits (use of s.26B formula).
5 October 2017
Amended s85(3) allows judicial discretion to admit late complaints where union and Labour Office engagement justifies delay.
  • Industrial & Labour Relations Act s85(3) — interpretation post-2008 amendment; discretion to extend time; exhaustion of administrative channels; union and Labour Office engagement as sufficient reasons for delay; leave to file complaint out of time.
2 October 2017