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Citation
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Judgment date
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| June 2022 |
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Assessment of non-pecuniary damages for three injured claimants; psychological effects not awarded without evidence.
Damages assessment — non-pecuniary losses (pain and suffering, loss of amenities, disfigurement) — need for evidence to prove psychological injury — awards to minors and trustee account for guardian access.
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24 June 2022 |
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Claimant awarded MK4,810,000 for proven minor head and limb injuries; traumatic brain injury claim rejected.
Personal injury — Assessment of quantum — Pain and suffering, loss of amenities and disfigurement — Loss of earnings and earning capacity — Insufficiency of evidence for traumatic brain injury and undocumented business income — Use of comparable awards.
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23 June 2022 |
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A defendant’s preliminary objection was dismissed for failing to follow court direction to pursue an inter-partes challenge to a consent order.
Civil procedure – consent order alleged entered by mistake – ex parte application to stay or set aside vs inter-partes procedure – preliminary objection at assessment hearing improper where party failed to follow court direction – dismissal with costs.
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23 June 2022 |
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High Court set aside magistrate's costs order against counsel, holding no statutory authority for such costs on adjournment.
High Court supervisory jurisdiction — Sections 25 and 26 Courts Act; s360 Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code — power to call records and review subordinate courts; Magistrates' power to award costs — statutory basis required; Criminal proceedings — presumption against awarding costs; Adjournment — discretionary but cannot found costs order absent statutory authority; Section 142 CP&E Code — costs permissible on conviction/acquittal or where private prosecutor had no reasonable grounds.
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22 June 2022 |
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Driver negligent; deceased partly contributory — liability apportioned 70/30 and insurer liable up to policy limit.
Road traffic accident — Driver negligence for failing to slow/stop — Eyewitness credibility — Contributory negligence by pedestrian — Apportionment of liability (70%/30%) — Insurer liability subject to policy limit (s.148(1) Road Traffic Act).
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22 June 2022 |
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Court awarded K2,000,000 for expectation and K2,000,000 for dependency after an 11‑year‑old's death; multiplier method rejected for non‑earning child.
Personal injury — fatal road accident — assessment of damages — loss of expectation of life — loss of dependency — child of non‑working age — comparable awards preferred; multiplier‑multiplicand method inappropriate for non‑earning child.
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22 June 2022 |
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Whether criminal libel under section 200 unreasonably restricts freedom of expression and warrants certification and a stay.
Constitutional law — Freedom of expression — Criminal libel (s.200 Penal Code) — Section 35 and limitation test under s.44 Constitution — ICCPR art.19 and ACHPR art.9(2) — de Morais v Angola; Lohe Issa Konate v Burkina Faso — Referral to Chief Justice under s.9(3) Courts Act — High Court inherent jurisdiction — Civil Procedure Rules O.19 limited to civil matters — Stay of subordinate court proceedings.
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20 June 2022 |
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Court enhanced defilement sentence to 18 years, finding aggravating factors outweighed mitigating circumstances.
Criminal law – Defilement – Sentencing and sentence enhancement – Aggravating factors (victim’s age, premeditation, prevalence of offence, not‑guilty plea) vs mitigating factors (youth, first offender) – Consent not established; deterrence and protection of girl child.
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20 June 2022 |
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Claimant failed to prove driver negligence; collision likely occurred while claimant was joining the main road.
Negligence — duty of care — burden of proof on balance of probabilities — point of impact disputed — evidential weight of police report and fine.
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18 June 2022 |
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The defendant held liable for breach of statutory safety duty after unguarded conveyor laces caught the plaintiff's jacket.
Occupational safety — employer's statutory duty and negligence — guarding of machinery (conveyor laces) — credibility of post-accident investigations; failure to call material witnesses.
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17 June 2022 |
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Court vacated leave and interim orders: parliamentary seating and shadow-cabinet appointments are political, non-justiciable matters; claimant to pay costs.
Parliamentary privilege and separation of powers – Justiciability – Allocation/reservation of seats and formation of shadow cabinets seen as political/internal matters not amenable to judicial review absent clear constitutional issue – Speaker’s discretion under Standing Order 39 – Non-exhaustion of internal remedies and suppression of material facts bars equitable relief.
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16 June 2022 |
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No arguable appeal existed against tax assessments; statutory time and form requirements were not met, so judicial review and interlocutory relief were refused.
Tax law — judicial review — validity of appeal against tax assessment — strict compliance with statutory time limits and form for appeals under Value Added Tax Act, Taxation Act and Customs and Excise Act — enforcement (warrant of distress, embargo) where no valid appeal.
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16 June 2022 |
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Application to amend notice of appeal refused because proposed particulars would breach the rule requiring concise, non‑argumentative grounds.
Civil procedure — Amendment of notice of appeal — Order 111 rules 2(2) and 2(3) — Particulars of misdirection or error of law must be stated but grounds must remain concise and non‑argumentative — Application to add full particulars refused — Costs awarded.
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15 June 2022 |
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Summary judgment granted for claimant’s possession and rental claims where the uncontested will bequeathed the property and defendant had no arguable defence.
Succession law – validity and effect of will – beneficiary entitled to property; Summary judgment – no arguable defence; Possession and mesne profits; Executor/trustee status versus beneficiary rights; Matrimonial property claims irrelevant where property belongs to third‑party testator.
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10 June 2022 |
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Summary judgment for possession and mesne profits where the house was bequeathed under an uncontested will and defendant had no arguable defence.
Succession/estate law – testamentary bequest – property bequeathed under an uncontested will; Summary judgment – Order 12 – absence of arguable defence and no triable issue; Matrimonial property/contribution claims distinguished from testamentary rights; Possession and mesne profits (rentals) assessed by Registrar.
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10 June 2022 |
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Claimant failed to prove employer negligence under common law and statutory safety duties; defendant nevertheless ordered to pay costs for delays.
Occupational safety — Employer duty to provide safe plant and systems, guarding and training — Negligence — Burden of proof on balance of probabilities — Insufficient, inconsistent evidence — Costs awarded for dilatory conduct.
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3 June 2022 |
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A post-judgment application to construe an insurer’s liability for costs was dismissed because no costs were ordered and the court was functus officio.
Civil procedure — Agreement-based judgment for negligence — Construction of insurance policy — Whether insurer liable for costs in addition to damages — Finality of judgment — Functus officio — Post-judgment applications.
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3 June 2022 |
| May 2022 |
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Claimant cyclist proved on balance of probabilities that defendant negligently struck him; judgment and costs awarded.
Motor vehicle negligence – duty to keep proper lookout and drive at a speed to stop within visible distance – failure to stop after collision – credibility findings and balance of probabilities – assessment of damages.
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31 May 2022 |
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Whether cancellation of an industrial rebate without a hearing breached the claimant’s constitutional right to fair administrative action.
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31 May 2022 |
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A magistrate may try a theft charge and decide ancillary land-ownership issues necessary to resolve the criminal matter.
Criminal law – Jurisdiction of magistrate in theft prosecutions – Ancillary civil issues (land ownership) – Magistrates may resolve ownership questions necessary to determine criminal liability even if value exceeds civil jurisdiction.
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30 May 2022 |
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Whether ACB may cooperate directly with foreign agencies under MACMA and whether hospital handcuffing violated constitutional rights
Arrest law – hospital arrests and use of restraints; Constitutional rights – inhuman/degrading treatment (handcuffing); Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act s5(1) – ACB may cooperate with foreign enforcement agencies without prior AG sanction; Admissibility of illegally obtained evidence – discretionary rule in Malawi; Corrupt Practices Act s42 – DPP consent not required prior to arrest/remand (time‑limited).
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30 May 2022 |
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An aggrieved party to proceedings cannot use Order 23 r.8 (CPR) to attack a consent order; appeal or a specific action is the proper remedy.
Civil procedure — Consent order — Variation or setting aside — Order 23 r.8 CPR applies to non‑parties directly affected, not to persons who are parties; remedy for a party aggrieved by a consent order is appeal or a specific action to set it aside — Application to strike terms of consent order dismissed as misconceived.
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30 May 2022 |
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Lower court's distribution of matrimonial property without a hearing was irregular; High Court set aside the order and ordered retrial.
Matrimonial property — Distribution requires hearing and evidence — Necessity of parties testing each other’s evidence — Courts Act (s26, s28) supervisory review — Retrial ordered — Preservation of property pending retrial.
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27 May 2022 |
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Prolonged unexplained pre-trial detention and the State's failure to comply with court directions justified bail with conditions.
Criminal procedure – Bail pending trial – Prolonged pre-trial detention and State's unexplained failure to comply with court directions – Change of circumstances justifying bail – Conditions of release.
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27 May 2022 |
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The applicant failed to prove joint ownership or beneficial interest; neither disputed asset qualified as matrimonial property.
Matrimonial property — Joint ownership — Intention and contribution test (Sikwese v Banda) — Beneficial interest — Registration/insurance not conclusive — Credibility of witnesses in property claims
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27 May 2022 |
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Claimant failed to prove driver’s negligence on the balance of probabilities; claim dismissed; parties to bear their own costs.
Motor-vehicle negligence — cyclist injury — burden of proof on balance of probabilities — credibility of witnesses — limited weight of police opinion — impact on vehicle side suggests cyclist swerved into truck.
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26 May 2022 |
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Minister acted without statutory authority and breached right to fair administrative action; his decision and the lessor's action were quashed.
Administrative law — Judicial review — Ministerial powers under Statutory Bodies (Control of Contracts) Act — Scope of "contract" — Jurisdictional limit; Natural justice — Right to hearing and reasons — Section 43 Constitution; Invalidity and quashing of administrative decisions; Property rights affected by administrative action.
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26 May 2022 |
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A High Court judge may lawfully continue to exercise subordinate court powers and preside over an ongoing magistrates’ trial after elevation.
Courts Act s5A – Powers of High Court judges to exercise subordinate court jurisdiction; Criminal Procedure & Evidence Code s360 – High Court review of subordinate court records; Supervisory jurisdiction under Courts Act s26(1) to be exercised sparingly; Professional conduct – baseless allegations of judicial personal interest.
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25 May 2022 |
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Bail denied pending trial for alleged murder due to flight risk given offence seriousness, case strength, and inconsistent account.
Bail — Murder charge — Risk of absconding — Bail Guidelines Act factors: seriousness, strength of case, likely sentence, ties and travel — Conflicting accounts and manner of arrest — Speedy trial directions.
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23 May 2022 |
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Assessment of personal injury damages: separate awards for pain, loss of amenities, disfigurement; hearsay objection not entertained.
Personal injury — assessment of damages — heads: pain and suffering, loss of amenities, disfigurement — hearsay objection at quantum stage — separate assessment of damage heads.
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20 May 2022 |
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Claimant with Minister-granted lease entitled to injunction and damages for defendant's trespass; alleged right of way and fraud claims dismissed.
Public land — Minister-granted lease — Trespass to land — Public road and right of way — Right of way of necessity — Burden and weight of evidence; refusal to be cross-examined — Counterclaim alleging fraudulent acquisition of lease dismissed.
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20 May 2022 |
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Assessment of non‑pecuniary damages for amputation, pain and reduced capacity; award of K5,500,000 plus costs.
Personal injury – Assessment of damages – Default judgment – Non‑pecuniary damages: pain and suffering, loss of amenities (incapacity), disfigurement – Use of precedents to fix quantum – Award of costs.
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20 May 2022 |
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Assessment of damages for unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution, defamation and assault by police against the State.
Tort — False imprisonment; Malicious prosecution; Defamation; Assessment of non-pecuniary damages; Vicarious liability of State for actions of police; Special damages for medical reports.
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20 May 2022 |
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Claim dismissed: no proved year-long written contract, insufficient proof of crop loss, and defamation not established.
Contract formation – requirement of signed agreement and offer/acceptance; implied contract by conduct; proof of loss in crop claims – need for reliable estimation evidence; defamation – publication, justification, and need to prove reputational harm or actionable imputation.
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20 May 2022 |
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Default judgment set aside where defendants showed reasonable excuse for delay and an arguable customary‑law defence.
Default judgment – setting aside – Order 12 r.21 – delay explanation – meritorious defence; Customary land disputes – Customary Land Act 2016 – non‑operational tribunals – High Court original jurisdiction.
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20 May 2022 |
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Assessment awards K3,000,000 for pain and suffering, K1,000,000 for loss of amenities, K300,000 for disfigurement; special damages denied.
Personal injury – assessment of damages – fractured jaw, loose tooth, cut and bruises – awards for pain and suffering, loss of amenities and disfigurement – failure to prove special damages – insurer liability subject to policy limit.
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20 May 2022 |
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Assessment of damages for severe personal injuries, determining quantum and rejecting unproved special damages.
Personal injury — Assessment of damages — Pain and suffering, loss of amenities, disfigurement, loss of earning capacity — Special damages must be pleaded and strictly proved — Global award where claimant not yet earning — Assessment in absence of insurer after service.
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20 May 2022 |
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Sentencing for repeated defilement of a nine‑year‑old by her stepfather increased from 21 to 40 years' imprisonment.
Criminal law – Defilement of a child – Sentencing – Aggravating factors: guardian/stepfather relationship, repeated offences, victim age (nine), physical injury – Manifestly inadequate sentence increased from 21 to 40 years – Prosecutorial charging practices.
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18 May 2022 |
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Conviction quashed where conflicting evidence, inadequate credibility findings and improper use of court-called witness created reasonable doubt.
Criminal law — Evidence and credibility — Conflicting witness accounts; duty to state reasons for credibility findings — Court-initiated witnesses under s.201 — Private arrest and reasonable use of force (ss.33,20 Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code) — Acquittal for reasonable doubt.
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18 May 2022 |
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Consent induced by fraudulent medical pretence vitiates consent; conviction confirmed and sentence increased for breach of trust.
Criminal law — Rape — Consent vitiated by fraudulent medical pretence; position of trust; aggravating factors; sentence enhancement.
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18 May 2022 |
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Assessment of damages for amputation of fingers: awards for non-pecuniary loss and loss of earning capacity; no past earnings award due to lack of proof.
Personal injury — workplace amputation of fingers — assessment of damages for pain and suffering, loss of amenities, disfigurement and loss of earning capacity — use of minimum wage and 10-year multiplicand — no award for unproven past earnings — assessment in default.
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13 May 2022 |
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Sale of imported vehicle without the statutorily required gazetted notice was unlawful; claimant entitled only to vehicle value under s154(2).
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12 May 2022 |
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Registrar awards K4,231,400 costs including K1,000,000 instruction fee and declines to decide insurer's liability for costs due to lack of jurisdiction.
Civil procedure – assessment of party-and-party costs – instruction fees payable under Order 31 rule 10(1) – assessment amount set – registrar lacks jurisdiction to interpret or vary a judge’s prior order as to insurer’s liability for costs.
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11 May 2022 |
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Court rejects death penalty and imposes long concurrent prison terms for murder, tissue extraction and aggravated trafficking of an albino victim.
Sentencing — death penalty inappropriate under constitutional prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment; offences against persons with albinism — premeditation, betrayal of trust, dismemberment and trafficking warrant very severe custodial sentences; extraction of human tissue (s.224A) and aggravated trafficking may attract life‑term severity; first‑offender status and age are mitigating but can be outweighed by aggravating circumstances.
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11 May 2022 |
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Accused convicted of murder, extraction of human tissue and trafficking of a person with albinism based on confessions and corroborative circumstantial evidence.
Criminal law – Murder (malice aforethought); Extraction of human tissue – unlawful removal and purpose; Trafficking in persons – obtaining by deception for exploitation; Admissibility and weight of retracted confessions and voluntary video narration; Circumstantial evidence and alibi.
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9 May 2022 |
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Failure to exhaust available administrative remedies (payment plan) bars judicial review of a tax demand without a pre‑action hearing.
Tax law – ‘pay now, argue later’ (section 105 Taxation Act); administrative law – pre‑action hearing, Wednesbury unreasonableness; exhaustion of alternative remedies; right to fair administrative action (section 43 Constitution).
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6 May 2022 |
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Whether an industrial court may reinstate an employee ex parte and whether such decisions are subject to judicial review.
Judicial review — amenability of lower court decisions; interim relief — ex parte applications; Industrial Relations Court Procedure Rule 25(1)(m)(i); reinstatement as final remedy under section 63 Employment Act; ultra vires/Wednesbury review.
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6 May 2022 |
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An educational institution not shown to operate commercially is entitled to full statutory remission; council must refund rates collected since 2017.
Local Government Act s83(1)(e) – remission of rates for educational institutions not operating commercially; valuation roll – omission of 'full remission' does not defeat statutory remission; s76 objection provisions inapplicable to remission entitlement; onus on council to prove commerciality; recovery of money paid ultra vires as money had and received; costs – each party to bear own costs.
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4 May 2022 |
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Court granted bail pending trial where no evidence of flight risk, witness interference, or danger to the public was shown.
Criminal procedure – Bail pending trial – Application under Bail Guidelines Act – Considerations: risk of evasion; witness interference; destruction of evidence; danger to public; balancing accused’s personal circumstances against interests of justice – remand duration.
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4 May 2022 |
| April 2022 |
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Court imposed life for murder but 25-year terms for tissue extraction and trafficking despite aggravating circumstances.
Criminal law – Sentencing for murder, extraction of human tissue and trafficking in persons – aggravated circumstances (victim's age, albinism, relative involvement, purpose of body-part removal) – worst-offender/death-penalty test – mitigation (first offender, confession, cooperation) – discretionary imposition of life versus fixed-term sentences.
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28 April 2022 |