High Court of Malawi - 1999

33 judgments
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Results. 33 judgments found.

33 judgments
December 1999
22 December 1999
Convictions quashed where hearsay and unauthenticated secondary documents, and failure to call a vital witness, rendered the case unsafe.
  • Criminal law — theft and obtaining property by false pretences — admissibility of hearsay — admissibility and authentication of secondary documentary evidence (computer printouts, photocopies) — compliance with Documentary Evidence Rules and Authentication of Documents Act — duty to call vital witness — burden to negative consent — fair trial and cross-examination obligations
8 December 1999
November 1999
30 November 1999
Ex-parte injunction discharged where plaintiff suppressed material facts and lacked a superior legal right to premises.
  • Civil procedure — Interlocutory injunction — Discharge of ex-parte order for suppression of material facts; title disputes; equitable relief and balance of convenience; protection of investments in land improvements
29 November 1999
25 November 1999
23 November 1999
18 November 1999
10 November 1999
5 November 1999
October 1999
Vehicle conversion established where purchaser failed to prove bona fide title; owner entitled to recovery, damages and costs.
  • Conversion — recovery of chattel — innocent purchaser defence — alteration of identification numbers — proof by manufacturer data and distinctive features; damages for loss of use; dismissal of defamation and revenue claims
24 October 1999
18 October 1999
Whether an electoral petition under s100 could be informally converted into a s114 appeal; court struck the action off for non‑compliance.
  • Electoral petitions — procedure and jurisdiction; distinction between s100 (48‑hour petition) and s114 (appeal by petition); meaning of “fresh petition” as new action; striking off for want of prosecution; amendment limitations in election petitions.
18 October 1999
Assessment of damages for personal injury and special damages where defendant did not contest the assessment.
  • Personal injury — assessment of damages after default judgment; special damages require strict proof; quantum for pain and suffering and loss of earnings; effect of defendant's absence at assessment.
18 October 1999
14 October 1999
14 October 1999
4 October 1999
September 1999
24 September 1999
August 1999
30 August 1999
30 August 1999
Eviction for unpaid rent under lease was lawful; defamation claim failed for truth and lack of pleaded innuendo.
  • Landlord and tenant — eviction for rent arrears under lease clause; accounting misallocation of rent; defamation — truth, lack of malice, necessity of pleaded innuendo and extrinsic facts; no liability for third‑party comments; costs each party to bear own
26 August 1999
19 August 1999
Interlocutory injunction refused where plaintiff failed to show a good arguable case and damages were adequate.
  • Interlocutory injunctions — American Cyanamid principles — good arguable case and serious issue to be tried — adequacy of damages — preservation of status quo — clean hands.
12 August 1999
9 August 1999
July 1999
15 July 1999
8 July 1999
1 July 1999
June 1999
Court finds true purchase price was K155,000, sale failed for non‑payment, awards mesne profits and releases court-held rent.
  • Property law — sale of land — disputed purchase price — proof of contract terms and authenticity of written agreement — allegation of forged/altered agreement — failure to pay balance — consequences: sale failure and award of mesne profits (rent) — release of rent paid into court — administrator rights over estate property
30 June 1999
Preferential live coverage by a public broadcaster breached statutory equal‑treatment obligations; the Electoral Commission was found to have complied.
  • Elections — Access to state media — Equitable treatment of political parties during elections — Communications Act s45(1)(f); Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act ss58–59; Electoral Commission Act ss8,19,63 — Public broadcaster's preferential live coverage unlawful — Complaint-exhaustion under s76
9 June 1999
9 June 1999
May 1999
16 May 1999
April 1999
26 April 1999
15 April 1999
6 April 1999