Supreme Court of Zambia - 1981 March

5 judgments

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5 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
March 1981
Court held emergency detention subject to objective reasonableness review; detainee must show measures were unreasonable.
Constitutional law – detention under emergency regulations – Preservation of Public Security Regulations reg.33(1) – reviewability of detaining authority’s satisfaction – objective reasonableness test – burden on detainee under Article 26 – habeas corpus and uncontradicted alibi evidence.
25 March 1981
Failure to disclose material accident evidence may warrant adjournment; appellate court can reassess credibility and award damages.
Motor-vehicle accidents — disclosure of material evidence and adjournment — unpleaded defence at trial — immediate objection, amendment or recall — appellate interference with credibility findings — assessment of damages where appeal likely — loss of use and quantum for minor personal injuries.
11 March 1981
In murder/manslaughter, the date of death must be charged; a reasonably possible alternative causation creates reasonable doubt.
Criminal procedure — murder/manslaughter: charge date should be date of death; Evidence — 'reasonably possible' alternative creates reasonable doubt; Accused's lies — may bolster credible evidence but cannot make unreliable evidence reliable.
10 March 1981
Appeal allowed; appellate standards for quantum applied, unconsciousness limits felt suffering but not loss of amenities, and future loss capitalised using corrected multiplicand and multiplier.
Damages — appellate interference with quantum; unconsciousness — effect on pain and amenities; special damages — computed to trial date; future loss — conventional vs actuarial methods; multiplier and multiplicand; interest rates on damages.
9 March 1981
Court held defendant negligent; material undisclosed evidence should prompt adjournment and damages assessed on appeal.
Evidence - material disclosure and adjournment in motor accidents; pleadings - effect of unpleaded evidence and immediate objection; appellate interference with factual findings; assessment of damages including loss of use and personal injuries.
9 March 1981