High Court of Malawi - 2006 December

14 judgments
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Results. 14 judgments found.

14 judgments
December 2006
Applicants awarded damages for false imprisonment after unjustified 83-day detention; respondent did not defend.
  • False imprisonment — unlawful arrest and 83-day detention — absence of reasonable suspicion — assessment of damages for loss of liberty, dignity and reputation — Attorney General failure to defend — substantive award despite default.
31 December 2006
Where the accident's cause was established, res ipsa loquitur did not apply and nominal damages were awarded due to default-judgment uncertainty.
  • Motor vehicle accident — mechanical failure (severed wheel nuts) — res ipsa loquitur inapplicable where cause known — plaintiff must prove lack of due diligence — default judgment binds assessment but caution warranted — nominal damages awarded.
31 December 2006
Summary judgment refused where respondent raised a bona fide counterclaim and disputed valuation and workmanship requiring trial.
  • Civil procedure — Summary judgment (Order 14) — Bona fide counter-claim treated as defence — Set-off — Contractual requirement of interim certificate for payment — Dispute as to payment and defective workmanship — Need for trial and possible expert valuation.
31 December 2006
Applicant awarded six years’ salary for wrongful forced retirement; pension and gratuity denied for lack of evidence.
  • Employment law — wrongful/forced retirement — assessment of damages measured by prospective salary less mitigation; pension and gratuity require proof; mitigation considered in light of employee’s age.
31 December 2006
Assessment of damages for negligent contamination: general damages awarded; pecuniary and unpleaded special claims dismissed.
  • Tort — negligence — assessment of damages for personal injury; special damages must be pleaded and proved; proof required for loss of earning capacity and reduced life expectancy; multiplier method for future medical expenses; award of general damages for pain and suffering.
31 December 2006
Application for interest on delayed payment of damages against the government dismissed due to statutory limits and no wrongful withholding.
  • Interest on judgment debts — discretionary award — section 11(a)(v) Courts Act limits — distinction between debt and damages — equitable principle of wrongful withholding (London, Chatham & Dover) — execution against Government.
31 December 2006
Repair cost is the normal measure of damages for negligent vehicle damage; court awarded the reasonable repair quotation.
  • Tort — Motor vehicle damage — Measure of damages for physical damage is reasonable cost of repair — Competing repair quotations — Court may assess damages on available evidence where defendant fails to attend.
31 December 2006
Assessment of general damages for pain and suffering where medical incapacity exists but no proven loss of earning capacity.
  • Tort — Negligence — Assessment of damages — General damages for pain and suffering and loss of amenities — Medical evidence of permanent incapacitation — No loss of earning capacity where plaintiff obtained higher-paid work — Special damages must be pleaded.
31 December 2006
Whether cohabitation established a marriage entitling the applicant and her child to a share of and an accounting for the estate.
  • Intestate succession; marriage by cohabitation/custom; proof of issue; defective unsworn affidavit; summary judgment; duty of personal representatives to account.
31 December 2006
Assessment awards general and special damages for personal injuries; unpleaded loss of earning capacity disallowed.
  • Damages — assessment of general and special damages for personal injury — unpleaded loss of earning capacity cannot be awarded — prospective expenses for disability considered.
31 December 2006
The applicant was awarded K1,050,000 for amputation caused by negligent hospital treatment, plus costs.
  • Medical negligence — assessment of damages — amputation following improper IV insertion — res ipsa loquitur applicable; damages compensatory: pain and suffering, loss of amenities, medical expenses — default judgment on liability.
31 December 2006
Nominal damages awarded for alleged false imprisonment despite defendant's honest belief and binding default judgment.
  • False imprisonment — reasonable suspicion / honest belief defence — nominal damages awarded despite prior default judgment — assessment of damages.
31 December 2006
The respondent held liable in tort for injuries caused by its security dog; Registrar to assess damages.
  • Tort — Animals — Dog bite — Strict liability of owner and negligence — Control and Diseases of Animals Act s19
17 December 2006
Court ordered defendants to clarify "expedience" and required plaintiff to provide specified further particulars before trial.
  • Civil Procedure
    • — Pleadings — Clarification of ambiguous pleading term ("expedience") required where material to issues
    • — Summons for directions — Further and better particulars under Order 25 r.7 — Scope and timing
  • Contract — Specific performance — Allegation of agreement to issue shares evaluated through pleadings and pre-trial particulars
3 December 2006