Commercial Registry-Lusaka

104 judgments
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Results. 104 judgments found.

104 judgments
May 2024
Plaintiff granted judgment on admission for breach of contract; damages and interest to be assessed by the Registrar; costs awarded.
  • Commercial contract — judgment on admission — defendant lacking defence — damages referred to Registrar for assessment — interest to be ascertained — costs taxed in default of agreement.
9 May 2024
Mortgagee awarded judgment, foreclosure and sale of secured immovable and movables following mortgagor's admitted default.
  • Mortgage law — Valid registered mortgage and further charge — Default — Originating summons under Order 30 Rule 14 — Foreclosure, possession and sale of immovable and movable security — Judgment for outstanding debt and contractual interest.
9 May 2024
Court pierced the corporate veil under s.175, holding a controlling director personally liable for company’s fraudulently incurred debt.
  • Company law — Piercing the corporate veil under section 175 Corporate Insolvency Act — Fraudulent or improper conduct by majority shareholder/director — Personal liability for company debts — Receivership does not bar lifting veil for pre-receivership fraud.
8 May 2024
7 May 2024
April 2024
Application for judgment on admission dismissed because defence did not make clear, unequivocal admission of debt.
  • Judgment on admission — requirement of clear and unequivocal admissions; Order XXI Rule 6 High Court Rules; Order 27 Rule 3 (Supreme Court Rules); Order LIII Rule 6(2)-(5) High Court (Amendment) Rules 2012; third-party liability negating personal admission; discretionary nature of judgment on admission.
15 April 2024
Whether an earlier-appointed receiver has priority and control over a later-appointed receiver pending final determination.
  • Security interests and priorities — enforcement by secured creditors — receivership disputes — interim injunction restraining later-appointed receiver — joint receivership with overriding authority to earlier appointee.
15 April 2024
Court granted stay pending interlocutory appeal, finding appeal likely to affect which claims proceed to trial.
  • Civil procedure — stay of proceedings pending interlocutory appeal — discretion to stay where appeal affects trial outcome — appeal does not automatically stay proceedings — pre-trial interlocutory application timing — prejudice requirement — risk of piecemeal litigation.
15 April 2024
A writ seeking interest not awarded by the judgment is irregular and is set aside; plaintiff liable for sheriff's costs.
  • Civil procedure — execution — writ of fieri facias irregular where it demands interest not awarded by judgment; execution only on amounts ordered or agreed; Sheriff's Act s14(2) — liability for costs of irregular execution; interest calculation — proper application of short-term deposit and commercial lending rates; costs of setting aside execution.
3 April 2024
March 2024
Applicant bank awarded judgment for outstanding loan and contractual interest and entitled to foreclose and procure conveyance of mortgaged property.
  • Commercial law — Loan facility and equitable mortgage — Default — Remedies of mortgagee (foreclosure, repossession, conveyance) — Registrar’s power to execute Deed of Assignment (s.14 High Court Act) — Originating summons supported by affidavit and uncontested admissions.
27 March 2024
Leave to appeal denied where respondents failed to show realistic prospects and breached mediation order; costs awarded against them.
  • Companies law — commencement of proceedings — originating summons under s.134(1) where statute silent on mode; civil procedure — leave to appeal — realistic prospects of success required; alternative dispute resolution — mediation attendance and authority to settle; costs — sanction for breach of mediation order (Order 53 r.8(3)).
20 March 2024
Winding-up granted where company was incorporated and continued to operate in breach of statutory accountancy and insolvency regulation.
  • Company law — Winding-up — Corporate Insolvency Act s.56 (locus) and s.55 (amenability) — s.57(1)(e) unlawful purpose at incorporation — s.57(1)(g) just and equitable grounds — regulatory compliance of accountancy and insolvency practice — alternative remedies under s.60(4).
20 March 2024
Interlocutory injunction granted to prevent construction on disputed land pending trial, with existing religious access preserved.
  • Interlocutory injunction — land dispute — certificate of title v equitable interest — trespass actionable per se — adequacy of damages — balance of convenience — ex parte relief and status quo.
15 March 2024
Whether a registered arbitral award bars a related civil claim or constitutes abuse of court process.
  • Civil procedure — Abuse of process; Order 14A (preliminary issues) — requirements for final determination; Corporate Insolvency Act s.66 — leave to proceed against companies in liquidation; Arbitration — registered award, enforcement vs res judicata; costs awarded.
13 March 2024
Court dismissed both preliminary and abuse-of-process applications; Order 14A inapplicable and arbitral award did not justify dismissal.
  • Civil procedure — preliminary issues under Order 14A — requirements for final determination; Corporate insolvency — s.66 leave where company in liquidation; Abuse of process — effect of registered arbitral award on later proceedings; enforcement vs. claim identity.
13 March 2024
Applicant failed to prove misappropriation or fraudulent inducement; the Trust, not the applicant, is proper claimant for trust fund wrongs.
  • Trusts — corporate name under Land (Perpetual Succession) Act — payments to trust — evidentiary burden and accounting — fraud pleadings and standard of proof — misappropriation claims and rule in Foss v Harbottle — standing to sue — costs ordered each party to bear own.
13 March 2024
Plaintiff failed to prove supply of trucks; defendant's fraud counterclaim likewise failed for lack of evidence.
  • Civil evidence — burden of proof; failure to prove provision of goods/vehicles — absence of corroborative evidence (toll receipts, drivers, subcontractor witnesses, photographs); pleading and proving fraud — must be distinctly pleaded and proved with particulars; counterclaim for fraudulent misrepresentation not established where no deceptive act or loss proved.
13 March 2024
February 2024
Consent judgment joining the 2nd defendant to pledge property as security, with instalment payments and accelerated remedies on default.
  • Civil procedure — Consent judgment — Joinder for security — Real property pledged as security — Payment schedule and acceleration on default — Sale of secured property and levy of execution — Costs: each party to bear own costs.
27 February 2024
Court refused preservation order over shares because a three-member arbitral tribunal had been constituted and urgency was not shown.
  • Arbitration Act s.11 — interim measures — court’s jurisdiction barred where arbitral tribunal constituted; urgency and risk of dissipation required for court relief; constitution of tribunal occurs on appointment and acceptance of arbitrators; preservation of shares pending arbitration.
23 February 2024
Court conditionally stayed a restarted action until an unsatisfied costs award is pursued and settled, without requiring prior taxation.
  • Civil procedure — Stay of proceedings pending payment of costs — High Court Rules Order 40 Rule 8 — Unsatisfied costs award sufficient (no prior taxation required) — Identical/connected causes of action — Conditional stay subject to prompt taxation — Right to apply to discharge for unjustified delay.
23 February 2024
Whether an equitable mortgage existed and foreclosure is permissible where the respondent lacked legal title at disbursement.
  • Equitable mortgage; deposit of title deeds; lack of legal title at time of advance; foreclosure and reconveyance; contractual interest enforceable; Lands and Deeds Registry Act considerations.
23 February 2024
Court entered judgment on admission for admitted sum, ordered assessment of disputed quantum, and addressed counsel-sworn affidavit and withholding tax.
  • Judgment on admission — Order 21 r6 & Order 27 r3 — admissions in pleadings; bare denials as admissions — Order 53 r6; counsel-sworn affidavits — admissibility and procedural limits; withholding tax and assessment of disputed quantum; interest on judgment (3% p.a.).
19 February 2024
Enforcement of a third-party mortgage and fixed and floating debenture following borrower default; foreclosure and possession ordered.
  • Banking and Security — Enforcement of third-party mortgage and fixed and floating debenture — Originating summons under Order 30 Rule 14 and Order 88 — Cumulative mortgagee remedies — Judgment for outstanding loan sums and foreclosure/possession relief.
12 February 2024
Mortgagee awarded judgment and authorized foreclosure and sale after borrower defaulted and failed to appear.
  • Mortgage action — legal mortgage established; borrower default — remedies under Order 30 Rule 14: payment, foreclosure, possession and sale; judgment in default.
6 February 2024
Uncertified data messages are inadmissible; pictorial/CD evidence admissibility depends on proper foundation under the ECT Act.
  • Electronic evidence — ECT Act s.9(4) certification — uncertified data messages inadmissible; ECT Act ss.8–9 — integrity and foundation required for pictorial evidence and CDs; admissibility disputes; costs and leave to appeal.
1 February 2024
January 2024
Applicant awarded judgment for outstanding debt; registered mortgage and guarantor enforceable, foreclosure permitted on default.
  • Commercial debt recovery; legal mortgage enforcement; foreclosure and power of sale; guarantor liability; interest accrual under debt settlement agreement; summary judgment by originating summons.
26 January 2024
Court allowed defendant to pay judgment by monthly instalments despite limited financial disclosure, subject to default consequences.
  • High Court Rules Order 36 Rule 9 — payment of judgment by instalments; requirements: reasonable repayment period, disclosure of income, liabilities, assets, audited accounts; court discretion; default accelerates debt and permits enforcement.
20 January 2024
A wrong mode of commencing a companies action is a fundamental irregularity that can render proceedings a nullity, justifying setting aside and costs.
  • Companies law — mode of commencement — Order XLIV High Court Rules adopts Rules of the Supreme Court (1883/1929) — prescribed modes (petition, motion or summons, motion only, summons only) are mandatory — wrong mode of commencement is a fundamental irregularity depriving court of jurisdiction — Order 2 White Book permits setting aside proceedings for fundamental jurisdictional irregularities.
18 January 2024
November 2023
A respondent’s bare denials are deemed admissions permitting judgment on admission unless respondent proves payments.
  • Civil procedure — Judgment on admission — Order 53 Rule 6(2)-(5) — Bare or general denials deemed admissions — Proof of payment — Pleading particulars for damages — Interest from date of demand.
16 November 2023
October 2023
Filing suit during Michaelmas Vacation without leave deprived the court of jurisdiction; matter dismissed, plaintiff may recommence.
  • Civil procedure — vacation filings — Michaelmas Vacation — requirement of leave to commence process — jurisdictional effect of non-compliance with High Court Rules — defect not curable retrospectively.
3 October 2023
September 2023
A stay pending appeal requires realistic prospects of success and special circumstances; unsupported factual challenges are insufficient.
  • Civil procedure — Stay of execution pending appeal — Appeal does not operate as automatic stay — Stay granted only on good and convincing reasons/special circumstances — Prospects of success must be realistic — Appellate interference with trial findings of fact requires perversity, absence of evidence or misapprehension of facts.
7 September 2023
August 2023
Court may appoint an arbitrator when the agreed arbitral institution fails and the respondent does not act.
  • Arbitration Act s.12(4)(c) — Court power to appoint arbitrator where agreed procedure fails; Arbitration (Court Proceedings) Rules r.10(1); Agreement naming a defunct arbitral institution; Court appointment of sole arbitrator; Costs awarded to applicant.
18 August 2023
July 2023
Written contract terms governed the parties; plaintiff awarded K8,455,157.80; theft claims partly statute-barred; limitation clause enforced.
  • Contract law — incorporation of written terms into oral agreement; limitation clauses — validity and enforceability; Limitation Act — six-year bar to tort/simple contract claims; set-off and equitable adjustment; interest and costs on judgment.
11 July 2023
June 2023
Plaintiffs’ challenges to loan terms and requests for consolidation and injunction dismissed; defendant’s counterclaim succeeds with foreclosure nisi and judgment for K8,543,087.16.
  • Contract law — loan and collateral agreements — signature binds parties; consumer claims — unfair trading and extortionate terms not established; remedies — enforcement of signed credit contracts, foreclosure nisi, refusal to appoint receiver; awards — judgment for lender, nominal damages, interest and costs.
29 June 2023
May 2023
Whether a notice of intention to arbitrate suffices to commence arbitration and avoid six-year limitation.
  • Arbitration jurisdiction; notice of intention to arbitrate; construction of contractual dispute-resolution clause (Clauses 8.1 & 10.2); commencement of arbitral proceedings (UNCITRAL Article 3); limitation — Limitation Act 1939 (six years); court review of interim jurisdictional ruling under Arbitration Act Article 16(3).
11 May 2023
Plaintiff’s 0.5% success-fee claim dismissed; entitled to 0.140% only upon first project financing drawdown.
  • Agency / letter of authorisation — contract by conduct — quantum meruit considered but contract by conduct found — success fee conditional on project financing/first drawdown — prior payments characterised as consultancy/commission — claim for 0.5% dismissed; entitlement to 0.140% accrues after first drawdown.
8 May 2023
Arbitration rules govern award registration and service; court registration cannot alter an arbitral award—share‑register amendment set aside.
  • Arbitration law — Registration and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards — Arbitration Act and Arbitration (Court Proceedings) Rules govern registration and service — service out of jurisdiction under Rule 19 — mandatory 90‑day set‑aside period (Rule 17) is formal requirement but omission is curable — Court’s complementary role to arbitration does not permit altering an award (orders directing amendment of share register set aside).
4 May 2023
February 2023
Court held receivers’ appointment void for failure to satisfy debenture notice/crystallisation prerequisites; conveyances tainted but some titles protected.
  • Company/Receivership — validity of receiver appointment — continuing floating debenture — crystallisation and notice required; Debenture law — events of default and seven‑day execution rule; Property law — void conveyance by invalid receiver; Bona fide purchaser doctrine and lis pendens; Reliefs — declaratory reliefs, rescission, damages (nominal awarded).
28 February 2023
October 2022
Court upheld ex parte registration and enforcement orders for an arbitral award, finding substituted service and share-register rectification acceptable.
  • Arbitration — Registration and enforcement of arbitral award — Rule 16 ex parte registration — Substituted service via nominees and publication — Court's complementary role in enforcement — Rectification of share register as enforcement measure.
21 October 2022
April 2022
Application for instalment payment dismissed for failure to file an affidavit of means; stay of execution discharged.
  • Civil procedure — payment of judgment in instalments — Order 36 Rule 9 HCR — Order 47 RSC — affidavit of means — full and frank disclosure — inability to pay — stay of execution discharged.
27 April 2022
May 2021
A proposed long-term instalment plan was refused as unreasonable and prejudicial to the judgment creditor.
  • Civil procedure — Order 36 Rule 9 — Judgment debtor seeking to pay by instalments — Sufficiency of disclosure of income, assets and indebtedness — Reasonableness of payment plan — Prejudice to judgment creditor.
21 May 2021
February 2021
An intending non-party cannot be joined after consent judgment and execution absent an appeal or review.
  • Civil procedure — Joinder under Order 14 r.5(1) — Timing of joinder applications after judgment — Effect of consent judgments — Functus officio where no appeal or review — Stay of execution pending joinder.
15 February 2021
December 2020
Trustee's contractually limited role and the exchange's statutory remit precluded liability for the investor's losses.
  • Securities law — note trustee duties under Trust Deed — contractual limitation of monitoring; Guarantee cancellation by issuer notice; securities exchange obligations rest with issuer; requirement of SEC approval for exchange rules; no piercing of corporate veil.
15 December 2020
October 2020
Restructured loan enforceable; excessive interest reduced; unregistered land charge void; debtor ordered to pay recomputed balance.
  • Restructured loan governs rights; debtor bears burden to prove payments; Money-Lenders Act caps interest (48%); unlawful/usurious interest substituted; land charge void without registration; MPSI Act requires proof of ownership/registration for movable security.
29 October 2020
September 2020
Court confirmed a varied Mareva injunction pending appeal but declined it as originally drafted, finding no solid current risk of dissipation.
  • Mareva injunction; freezing order; ex parte duty of full and frank disclosure; variation/discharge of interlocutory injunction; 'real risk' of asset dissipation; ordinary‑course‑of‑business exception; post‑judgment relief pending appeal; foreign defendant and enforcement risk.
22 September 2020
August 2020
Receiver appointed by equitable execution; injunction confirmed; instalment payment application dismissed for inadequate financial disclosure.
  • Equitable execution — appointment of receiver where ordinary execution is ineffective; ancillary interim injunction — confirmation; payment by instalments — burden of full financial disclosure; exhaustion of remedies not strictly required if just and convenient.
20 August 2020
April 2020
Whether domiciliation of contract proceeds bound the purchaser and whether guarantors remained liable for the loan.
  • Banking and contract law — trade loan facility, domiciliation of contract proceeds — whether domiciliation/assignment discharged borrower’s liability or bound third party — enforceability of personal guarantees — privity of contract.
23 April 2020
January 2020
A company in receivership cannot sue except through its receiver; failure to do so renders the action null and void.
  • Company law — receivership — locus standi — only the receiver can sue or defend for a company in receivership; nullity ab initio. Civil procedure — abuse of process, duplicity of actions, forum shopping
  • Companies Act s281 — leave to sue in liquidation contexts
28 January 2020
Whether the respondent validly increased rent by notice and lawfully distrained; agency and tenant's liability.
  • Agency — conduct and correspondence establishing agency; tenancies — tenancy at will and reliance on unexecuted lease; contract — validity of rent increase by notice; distress — lawfulness of warrant for rent arrears; remedies — quantification and enforcement of distraint.
16 January 2020
May 2018
Whether the respondent was a consumer of transport services and whether the Tribunal had jurisdiction absent an appealable Commission decision.
  • Competition and Consumer Protection Act — interpretation of "consumer" (s.2(1)(b)) — distinguishing consumer of goods and consumer of services; meaning of "order" and "direction" under s.60; appealable decisions; jurisdiction of Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal; ultra vires acts and nullity of decisions.
2 May 2018
January 2018
Applicant validly converted staff loan to commercial terms; respondent defaulted; judgment entered and foreclosure authorised.
  • Mortgage enforcement — Conversion of staff loan to commercial terms permitted by facility agreement — Variation of interest rates and notification by clause — Statement of account and banker's duty to disclose — Non‑retrospective application of Banking and Financial Services Act 2017 — Foreclosure and sale on default.
23 January 2018