Pearl International Commodities Ltd vs Tanzania Harbours Authority (Civil Case No. 281 of 1996) [1998] TZHC 2198 (9 October 1998)
Judgment
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(D8M RF!C::T8'T'RV).
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int·Anf·inn t.o i=-t.orP. lhA r.nppAr rlw=d ;:is wc:h l>11t t-n RXpnl t· i I· ;:ind
t.h;:it. cl11A l.n this.- pl;=tintiff s11ffP.rRrl loss for· whir.h gPnrt·.,l
cl;:im;:igps r1rA r.lr1imP.cl -,ncl so is rP.f11nrl nf IJa:i ;.";lllll pr1i,1.
On thR othRr h;:rn<l. 11pnn rAcP.·ipl nf lhP. pL-tint.- UtP clP.fRnrlri11I
r ;:i i s P. d r1 p n~ l i mi n ;:i r y oh j Pc l"i n n .- pr ;:i y 1 n g f n r r1 i s Ill i s s ;:i 1 o f L h P. s 11 i 1
in thA following worrls,.
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for non-compli.,nc:p with t.hP. pl·nvisinns of :=:..n7
(;:i) of UlP. 'T'nn7.nni;:i Hr1rho11rR A11t.hoi-i1"y Ar-:f·. No. 1? of 1g77
for fr1i l11rp t.n iss11i:> nof ir.P anrl Al::~<> f·Jial i I ::d1n11ld Iii:-•
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this pAymAnt is m;::H]P. unclPr p1·11f-.psJ-. r1 f, ➔ <'l_-··1 h, ➔ I '1;:is hP.PII 11nl if iPd
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of this rr1rgo. 'l'his pr1ymP.nl· iloP.s nnl cnnst·it·11tP .=icr.f'!pt.rinr.A of t·hp
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Anvor.r1t.A, r1rgued thr1t. s. F.7 of Ar.t. 1?. of 1g77 nq11irP.s thr11" A
pnrt.y who wishes ·r-.o SllA 'T'HA mr1nrl.t 01··j 1 y has Io fln so w i I hi ri ·1?
plaint.·iff nr.tP.<1 nft-.P.r ?.?. mnnthR. RAlyin9 nn l-,r111. P1 t·.n 1·hA
p 1 n i n t .- Mr . Ms 11 y n i n R i st P. rl f h n t. th P. r. A 11 s P. Cl f .=i ct 1 n n ;:i r. <T II P. d n n
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s . n 7 I h ) n f 1- h A s A i cl Ar,. w r1 !"-, v i n l ., I P. d l 111 I ri l r: n s . Fi 7 ( r1 ) - I Ii ,l I ,'.J
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Tn rAsponsP.. Mr .. ~;.if;:iri. ,:011nt·.P.rP.1l liy sl·1·<-H1n11sly r1r9111ng
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t.hP.nt.o 17 clrtys l r1t.P.r .' ,HHl 1-h;it-. t.hP.y f i l P.'1 UtP. Sill t 011 10\ 9\ 9h.
HP insisf-P.d t·h;.i1 t·hp ;() 1L-1y nnl i1·.P. r1nd ·1? 11111111 li: l imi I 1>r·p ..
r.nnclitions WP.rP. fully mP.t·. HP.·sl·1F!F{SP.1l 1.li,::il his lR;:irnP.<l cnllP.r1011P.
sh o 11 l cl not. s t. ;:i rt r. o II n t i n a fro 111 .1 ;:i 1111 ;:i I y . 1 9 9 !, Ii n t SP. p 1·.f~1111> P. r . 1 q 9
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mn<'IP..
hp clat-P. of I li<-• i nvn i f'P.
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Tn rP.pl y .- M:r. Ms11yrJ .- Anvoc;:itP., l"P.i t·P.rntP.n l'h;it. in t·P.rms of
s.n7(h) of Act. 1?.\77 if t.J-rn r1r.t w;:is cont.in11n11:=: from ?.0_1\9!'i r1!'l
clr:1imen t.hAn t.hP. t.imP. limil·.· shn11l<l hP. n mnnl·J·rn, ;:mn f111·1"hf-H.
;:irgllP.n, r.l;:irifying. t.h;it·. t·hf-1 su·it. WAR f·ilP.rl nn 1\10\9n lHHl!"'.P. P.V(-HI
if r.ount.ing strJrt.A<'I nn ?.0\9\9!1 1?. 111m11".hs wnnlrl rn!l nn ?.0\9\9fi.
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f, 7 o f A r. t-. 1 ?. o f 1 9 7 7 i I i s l, E--!l · f · i n r 11 I I o 11-~ v i :~ i I i I 1 1 v c ! 1 11 ,t 1 1 , t I i I
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cl11t-.y nr rJllt.hority. or nf ;:iny ;:illP.gP.rl nP.9lP.1'.I n,· clP.f;:iull· 11"1 l·lrp
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fol lowing prov:isions !';h;:il l hr1vA P.ffA<"'.I·.-
( rJ) t.hA r,1ct ion or 1 P.Qi'I 1 procP.P.rl i ng sh;:i 11 not·. hA r.on1111P.r1r.P.n
;:iga.inst t.hP. Aut.hori.t.y 11n1"il ;:i_t. le;:irc::t. onA_rnnn_th ___ ;:ift._P.t·_wr·i_l·t·.fHl
!!0.!-t.~~ cont;:lining thP. pr1r·1·.ic11l;:irs of t·hA c~l;:iim. ;:inn nf inl0.nt·11111
t.n r:ommP.nCP. thP. .:=tr.t. i.on or 1 P.Qrl l procP.P.rl i ng .- h;:is hAP.n s0.rvi:H'l 11pnn
t.hP. GP.nP.r;:il MrJnAgAr hy 1 hP. pL'lint·i ff n1· hi~~ r1c::1P.nf- _:
(h) thA rJr.tion or 10.g;:il prnr.AP.<ling sh,,11 nnl". l iA nr lw.
ins 1-. i t11t.A<'I 11n 1 P.SS it. is r.nmmAncP.rl w_i !"-_hj_l] _f:wP.1 VA __ 11!0n..t.J~.!:'. n_P.Y, t· ., f J· p 1
t-.hA ;:i_c_t·· .... J1P.al_er.l. __ or __ clP.f;:i1_1_lt· c:n111plr1·inP.<l nf 111· in t·hp <"'.ASP nf ;1
cont.inning injury or clr1mr1gP.. wit.hin :=-i.x monl'.hs nP.xt r1fl·P.1· t·hP.
r.P.SRrJtion t.hFffP.of". ( P.mphAsis rninP.)
imply strJt.P.n, t.hP. law n=•HJllil"P.R.- lllrlll<lrlin1··i·1y .. U1;1I rt p. 0 1rt.y \•Jho
wishP.s to bring An ;::ir.t·inn ;:ig;:iinsl- 1·hp 'T',-1n;;:;.ci11i; J.1;-11hn111:=- A11lltor·itv
:=;hn11lc'I <ln so only ;::if1·.P.r :=-P.rving ·ii. ('T'Hl) wi1-1·1 ; ➔ mnnt·Ji;::;' nof-i<:P. nf
it:=; int·.P.nt.ion t.o SllP.. ;::inci.- P.VP.n thP.n, !':11ch ,-=ir:f·.ion c;:in onlv hP.
·j n!':t ·i t·.11tP.rl wi th·i n 1?. mnnt hs nf t·hP. ;:ir'.1·. cnm!.11 ;1 i nP.d of.
f,P.t 11:=; nowt.urn to thA r1rg1m1P.11h:: nf 1"hP. l0r1r·11i:>cl r:n11t1sP.l r1rnl
thR pP.rtr1ining f;::ir.t.s.
Firstly, T sh011lrl point. 011t. ·f·hr1I· 1·hP. i-Ar:nnl i:;11ppn1·f·.::- M1.
M :=; 11 y ;::i ' :=; oh:=; P. r v ,::i t. i. on t. h rJ 1-. t h A r P. 1 P. v ,H1 t. i:: u i t. w rl i:: f ·i 1 R ,1 o n 1 _ 1 n _ q f,
,·=rnc'l not" 10_()_q6 ,3:=; r::onh=n1<-lf~,l hy Mt·. r;;--1L:ir·i TliP. 1>lr1i11I .:11111 EHV
Nos. 01SS44'.Hi of 1\10\gfi liP.rir wit·nP.ss h·, I.hi::;. :r11r--t· fo1· cLn·i1 v·
whP.n Mr. SAfar.i insi.st·P.rl I.hilt. hP. fi 1 P.<l t-.hP. 111;:itt.Rr on 10\9\qfi, nnP.
Morri:=-.- rJ f:jvi.1 RP.gi.st.ry ClP.rk w;::i:=; rl11ly r-:11111111<,nRcl ;:inn hP. s!·;:if·P.(l
t. h r1 t h P. n i <l n ' t. r. P. c rJ 1 l e :x n r. t 1 y w h P. t h A r Mr . s r1 f n r i g rJ v P. h i m 1- h fi
fi 1 ·j ng f P.P.S on 10th RP.p1·.P.mhFff, or 1 :=;1·. 0(:f·nhP.r, 1 gq(; t:h<111gh hP.
;:irimit.tP.n hP.jng t.hR onR who inscrihP.rl on thP pl;:iint t.hnt i1· w;:is
prP.sP.nt~Hl for fil.ing on 1st". Or.tnhP.r, -1qg(1 Tf· wn11l<'I sP.1~111 .. wh;:it·
hAppP.nP.o wrJi=; thrJt. r.ont r.'iry to pr<1r.P.rJ11rA .- Mr. S;:if;:ir i simply h.=in(lP.rl
nvP.r t"hR monRy An(l plr1inl t.n rJ r.01n·1· c·IP.r-k ;.incl 1·hpn r1ss111nfHl I h;.:il
1"hR fil·ing h;::in hAen mrJrlP. WhilP. r.onr!P.mning. 1mrP.rsP.rvP.1-<lly f·hp
r.ourt. r.lArk':=; rJr.t of not r1r.t.·ing promptly lRt rJlnnP. t·.hp r1c:1 nf
rJr.r.Rpt.ing thR fpes whi.lP. hP. iR not. r1 r.rJshiP.r.- Mr. SAfrJri 's ric'.1 io11
r.rJnnnt. P.Rr.ApA t·_hP. hl rllllP. hP.,'.rJIIRP., ;:i:=; ;:i sP.;1r-:ntH"tl ,Hlvnc:;il '", !iP. ·1 s
q11it.e VP.rsP.rl wi.t.h t-.hR prn<'.P.rl11rP.- t·.h;:it· 1".hP. RAgistry nff·ir.P.r
r.omp11t.P.s t.hA filing fP.P.R Ln hR p;.:i·irl; ·informs t·hp prJrt.y nf !hP.
sr1mP. who prnr.eeds t.o thP. r:r1sh nffir.P. for p;:iymPnt-., ;-nt<l nnlv .-=ift·r,t
pror.uring t.hP. rP.r.P.ipt. whir.h hP. rP.t.urns to i-t,P. r.ivil RP.gist-ry rloc:~:=:
hP. r.011nt. himsP.J f rJs hr1vi ng fi ]P.rl t.hP. m;:iU P.t nrnl nol. nl"hP.rw·i sP..
4
"'· S11ffir.P. t.o srty t.hr1t. r1 s11it. 1s filP.d whPn f0.P.s r1rP. !1;:ii<l 11nlP.ss
thP.re is ;:i spP.cir1l ordP.r hy the r.011rt. w;:i iv i ng t·hP. s;:imp or it is
st.nt.ut.orily provi<'lAn t.hnt. thP. rP.lP.v,rnt pnrf·y is not r·pq11ind l.n
pr,1y thP. nq11isite fP.e.
8 P. con a 1 y , it is not con t. P. st: P. <'I th a t I h P. p 1 ;:i i n 1- i f f g r1 v A no 1· i c • P
t.o rlP.fP.ndant on 13\1.l\q!', ;ti=; pP.r Ann. P4 to thP. RP.ply t.<> Wri I hrn
St;:itP.mP.nt of defenr.e. 'T'hP. i.sstJP. is whP.t.her this w;:is thP. t.ypP nf
not. i r.P. Anvi srtgP.<'I unner s. n7 ( n) of Ar.1· 1?. of 1 q77. Agri in fnr
r.lnrity lP.1". HIP quot.P. it (not.ir.P.) in f11ll hP.rP.hP.lnw ..
"RF..: .Rf.F_un .9F um 111 , 7.5.'.L _50
'l'O M\S J?..l\RJ __ I_N.'l'J.:RNJ\T.T,QAI, COMMOOl'l'_lRS __ T,'l'n
RV VOHRSF.T.Vlrn
WP. ;:irP. inst. r11r.t.P.d by our r1hovP.nr1111P.<l cl i An Ls M\S PRART.
TN'T'RNA'l'TONAT. r.OMMOOT'T'TF.S T.'T'n t.o rlP.mrincl As wA hArAhy no, i 111111P.d i ;:ih~
p;:iymP.nt. of t.hP. s11m of usn 111 , ?. 51. :10 on 1 v wh i r.h ii=: d11P. hy yo11 to
t.hAm hy wr1y of ;::irnount. 0111-s1·.;u1ding in your r1c·c01mt with thP.rn.
011r furt.hP.r i.nstrnr.1" inns nrP. t.o pn int 0111". t· h-11- 11n l Ass 1 hA
sain s11m is pAid t.ogP.t.hP.r- w·it-11 inl·pr·psf ll1P.1·pnn nt t·hp 1·r1l"f'! nf
]1i pP.r annum so as t.o rP.nr.h our cliPnl o, .. ,,111·s~·1vf~s w_i_l:_hin spvn11
davs J7) from the date hP.2::__g:f_ J Aga l procP.Arl i ngs for its rP.covP.ry
will he instituted agninst. yo11 wit.hn11t -f1JrU1Ar nnt.i.r.P."(P.rnphAsis
minA).
r.le,=nlY: going by thP. SP.VP.n rlays dP.;:idl·inP. stnf-.P.d in thP
ahovP. notir.e, s. fi7 (;:i) of Act 1?. of 1q77 w011ld not. h;:ivp heP.n
compl.iP.d with. However: it is my considP.rP.d viP.w that. it doP.s nnl·
encl t.hP.re. Tf the pl.nint.iff hr1<l proc:P.P.<lP.cl Anrl filP.11 thP. prP.iPnt.
!=;1Jit r1ftP.r thP. lapsP. of t.hP. 7 rl;:iys slr1IP<l Anrl 1inrlP.r 10 rli-1y::._. WP.
wo11lrl h;:ivp hPP.n st.urnP.rl hv Mr. Sr1f;:iri 's g11f-s of p11t-.t.ing 11p ;:i fr1cP
clr1·i111ing r.0111plir1nr.P. wit-hr. fi7(FJ), fn1-, nnn ,-'.omplir1n<:P w011ld h;-1vP
hPP.n nhvions. Tn my viP.w: hnwP.vP.t·.- alf-ho11gh T h;:ivp fnilP.<1 tn
r.nmprP.hPnrl t.hP. reasons whir.h le(l Mr. Safr1ri 1o g·ivP. Fl sP.vP.n d;:iy~~
notice inst.Pad of t.hP. r.lA;:ir 10 rl;:iys' in r.nnsnnAnce wilh s.fi7(A).-
T hnlrl th;:it wh;:it i.s impnrt.;:int. is nnt t.hA wnrcling r.nntr1inPcl 1n t.hP
no1·ir.e h11t. the gi.ving nf U1A nnticP. in whrih:ivP.r fnrm ;:inc'! H1P.
r.1r.t.ur1 l t.::ik·i ng nf the r1r.t. inn.- thr1t. i R .- thP. f i 1 i ng nf t hP. r1cf· ·ion.
R.67(;:i) r.ler1rly states,
"l .. hP. act. i.on .. or. l.ear11 p:ror.P.rl rift.Ar L=tpf:p of
~o ,~r1ys.
AR t-hP. noticP. Wr!R n11ly iSSlJA(i. rll'lCT 1'.hP filing of U1P. s11i!·
w r1 s cl on P. w P. l l p ;:i st ~ 0 rl ;:i y s ,. i n th P. c i t · r: 11 ms f' A n c: P. s . T ;i 111 ·i n f 1 , l l
r1greP.mP.nt· wil'h Mr. Sr1fr11·i l.hr1f· U1P. prnv·isinn::: of R.67(;:i) of Ac!·
1?. of 1g77_. WP.rA fully r.otnpl·ierl wit-.h.
WP. now t.11rn t.o the. RP.,:nnrl fr1r.P.t of Mr. Ms11yr1':-: pr·P.l·i111inr1r·y
ohjP.r.t.ion - t.h;:it. s.n7(h) w;:is nol'. r.ompliP.rl wi!h,. in thFtt· f·hi:i s11i1·
w;:is not. fi]e<'l wi.thin 1.?. mnnl·.hi:; of t·hP. ;:ic:t· c<"lmpl,1it1P.d nf. Nnw,
wh·ir.h ;:ir.t is t.hP. pL=tintiff <~ompl.::i·ining nf7 Rnlli r·o1111::;P.l ::::P.PIII tn
hnl.ci oiffP.n=d ·i rig_ t" ;,1nprn111derl liy Mt·.
Mi=my;;i, Acivnr.AtP., wo11ln lP.lHl f·.n r1h:-,11nlif·y. Wh;1t· IS il1lf.hr1 J 1 1101· l1P. r.ommP.nr.._<l
nnP. mnn th r1 f'tP. t·
. . . . ,.--.
TntP.rpret.ing t.he ;:ihove wnrrling 1n r1 mr1mHl1rlP.d l,y ,,, ..
lP.gil=dnt.11re is that. t.he A11thnr·:it.y shn11ld he nnt.if·iP.o hy t.hP
j nteno ing party of the penrl i ng pot.ent i ;;i l of he i ng s1.1e<'I ;:inrl nnr:e
i.t. is so infonnP.<l.- the s;:ii,·p;:irty shnnlc'I nnl·. t,'lkA f'hP. t·hrA;:il·. or
int.ent.i.on jnto effect 11nt:il_. ;:it. lP.;:ist._. r1ff'.P.T O cl;:iys h;:ive
elapseo. Tn t·.hP. r.r1se ,:1t. h;:ino, thP. pl;:iint·iff's nnt.ir.e r.n11lrl hr1ve
sirnpl y st.;=1t.e<'l _.
"if you oon't. pAy fnrf-hwil:h lAgr1l r1r.f'.inn will he f·;:il<P.11
;:i g ;:i i n s t yo 11 " , ;:i n <1 t h i s w n 11 l rl h .:'Iv P. b P. en g n c) r l i'I no f· i r. e 1 JI t<l P. r
R.n7(;:i), provinP.rl, 1·.hP.re,d:1,P.r UH stl'il w;:i:c; filnt viP.WR. Mr. Ms11yn for l.hP. OP.fAnd;:int·.s s11b111i1s r-.11.:.il·
t·.he r.r111sP. of r1r.t·.ion st.;:irt·.P.<1 on ?.0\1_qs wl1P.n,. . t·. i n n ,. w h i 1 P. .. Mr . R ;;i f ;:i r ·i
fi
At'QIIP.Srn pP.r T\nn. P:l. 1·111
pl;=iint.iff pAi.<'J the st:orAgP. ch;:irgP.s 11nrlP.r prn-l·P.sf" ;:incl P.X!>r·ps:=:r:>cl
t. h P. i r ·i n t·. P. n t·. i o n t". o t. ;:i k P. l P. g ;:i l ;:1<
t. h;:i t .it. w;:is ;:i cont j nuo11s hrRr1r.h wh i r.lt P.n<le<l on ?.O _ q \ g !1 whP.n t.lte y
( p J a j n t. i f f ) :=rn h m i. t t e d ;=111 i n v o i r. e ( A n n . P ?. I ri p l ;;i i n t ) f o r ;:i n~ f 11 11 r1
of t.he USD 1 ll, ?.52. 50. Pl h;:is ;:iJ.:rendy heen qoot.en wh i IP. P?. r11ns
under,
II
TNVOH':F. NO. 7.45
Refund of st.oragR rhr1rgAs pr1 in 11nrlr protest ·1 P.ss 11sn
111.,257..50 ;:it o.q!il ;:id v;:ilorP.m ;:i:=; pP.r f-P.rms indi<riled hy yrn1t·
lP.t-.t·.er. Vr1l11P. of r.rirgo ?.,:100 lnnnr->s 0 IJSn ?.?O pml= 11ST) ::i0,000 nf
wh·i r.h o. q?I is eq11r1l to usn 4 . qo. oo. ni ff P.rPn.:P. rl11e t-r, Per1rl
Tnb=;P. of ; ➔ <'.l··inn a11d
s 11 r. h r. a u s A o f r1 ct i on h ;:i v ·i n g ;::, r. r. n I P. <l I n t h P. p 1 r1 ·i n t i f f .
"A CAllSP. of ;:ict.:ion" mP.;::ins P.vP.ry fnr.t, whir.h, if
t.rrivArsP.n. it. woul<l he nP.r.Assr1ry for the pL=dnt-iff t·n
provA ·in or<'!P.r. to s11ppn,-1-. his ,·igh1· t·o ;:i j11<lgemPnl· nf
t.he C:nurt. (w). Tn othAr worns _. it' ·is r1 h11nd1 P. nf fr1r.ts
which tr1kP.n wi.t.h f·.hp lriw rippl.ic.::ihle f·o them gives the
plri·int.iff ;:i right Lo rP.lief r1gr1·inst-. t·lrn rlefenrlnnt·. Tl 11111st·
inr.JnoP. some ;:ir.t rlonP. hy thP. nefr-rnrli=1nt· sincP. in ·t·hA r1hse11rrnr1t.ionr1l r.ommodities T.t<l usn 10n.101.(,0".
With gre;:it.est. rP.sper.f- 1-<1 hot·.h 1 P.rtrnecl <:rnmsP.l T l,nl <1 r1
r.ont·.r;:iry view. In my r.onsi,1P.rP.d opin·ion t.hP. r.mH,A of ric'.t.inn
stnrted very much earlier - RarliAr th;:in ?0\1\q::,_ RAfc1re
procP.erling let. UR ;:ipprriisP. niirselves nn wh;:il· ;:i r.r111se of r1r.l inn is
gene r r1 1] y taken t. o he And for t h ;:i i-. 111 ;:i t. t·. er l A t. 11 s h P. g 11 i de rl h y
commentr1ries of the lP.r1rnP.cl A11t.hor .. Mull ;:i, On 'T'he r'.nrle nf Civil
Procer1.ure of tnoi.r1, Vol. T, whir.h ·1r1w is Almost· si1nil;:.n- to 011rs.
'T'he sr1i.rl author., summa:rii=:P.s various <lefinit·ions of n c;:i11se nf
act ion as observed in vr1r i 011s c.::isP.s .::is f n 11 ows: -·
"A std t. is r1lwr1ys hASP.rl on ;:i ,r111sP. of ·;:ir.! inn.
'T'hP.re cr1n bP. no s11i1'. wit·hn11t· ;:i ca11e
of such ;:m ar.t no r.r1llRP. of net.ion r.rin pnrnihly r1r.r.n1P (x)
Tt is not limited to the act.11a] infringP.ment of lhe right
suP.o on hut inclurlP.s al..l t.hP.
7
mat.eri..:=tl facts on which it i :=; fo11n<led ( y). lf·. rlnF!s nnl r.nmpri sr-i
,.. . evi<lence necessary t.o prove :=rnch frir.ts .- b11t pvet·y fact nec:'.P.ss;cn v
for the plaintiff to prove to enable him tn nhtajn a decree ().
EvPrything which if not proved woul.d g1vP. the rlPfendant a ,·ight
to an .immerliat.F! j11dgenu=rnt. m1rnt be part nf 1-hA ca11se of r1r.t inn
(r1). Tt is.- in nt.hRr wnrrls.- a hunrllF! of f;1ct:=; whir:h if
n P. r. es s ;:i r y for t. he p l A i n f· i f f to prov P. i n n nl <" r t n ~ 11 r: r. e e r1 1 n 1· hr-'
s 11 :i t. ( h ) . R II t i t has n n r F! la 1--i on w h r1 h=! v P. r f· n f· he c'I e f F! 11 c: P. w h i r: h
may be sP.t. 11p by the rlefen<lant .- nor rlnP.s it <'lepRnrl upnn ·t-lH;>
charACb=!r of thP. relief prayAd for hy LhP. pl;l'int-iff. Tl 1:=; a
mP.rlia 11pon whjch the pl;:iint.iff ;;i:=;k:=; thR r.011rt· t.n ;:irrivA ;it ;:i
concl.11sion in his favour (r.)". (Alphr1het·.s n"fP.r- h, f·hp A11f-l1or 's
foot.not.Rs)."
Now, turning t.o thA casP. ;it hanrl ·it r.annnl hP. :=;;:i-i-d th;:it· tJ11:cl for it st.;:ites: --
"WHF.HEFORF. the p 1 a i n t: if f prays f nr j 11d gmP.n I ;:ind r1 P.r.1--er" as
follows -
(r1) ,T11clgP.ment for i.rnn 111 .?.!11. so ('T'SH!=-:. nn,.7:)?. .. lOO) r1t U1P.
rr1te of nOO C<l 1 usn.
(b) Tntenr'.r111fP
of action started with the payment of sum st·r1ted. The paynu=rnt. nf
the s;:dd sum was a consAq11ence of t·.he r1P.f P.nr1;:rnl f,3j lure t·n P-xnnrt
thP. plr1inti.ff's copper dust .. ;:ind thP. s11hsP.quent rP.f11sal h,
rP. lense the sa:i.cl copper dust unless s t·oragP. charges - a t'R paid. 'rl1(-,
plaintiff's act compl;=iined of ler1rling tn ;=ill this, ;:it the very
mjnimal, i.s 'l'HA's refus;=il to rP.lP.;:isP. the C:opper d11st which h;=is
not hAen exported duP. to its inability: hr1ving n1isrepresenterl
t.hr1t: it. ha<1 the cap;=icif-y while it <licl nnl, ;.1nrl instP.;1<l <lP111i'111ding
storage r.hiirges. Tam forl·.ifie<1 1n my r1rg11111Pnt hecr111se t.he
pl;=iint.iff it.self Among it:=; prayArs t;:ikes t·J-,P. m;:ilt-er heyonrl l·he
mere paynrnnt. of sum st.ahst. nt 11i p.;:i on the princip,"11 .. r1mnunl
( r.) Tnt.P.rest on th<- rler:retal ;:imount· r1t the courts rntP..
~ d) General damaaes _ jn __ the _ smn __ of __ mm 60_0000. 00 ______ T8_l:l8 =-
)60.O00. 000/ =_;:it th.~_r.a._te __ QJ fi00 ca usn.
8
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(e) Costs and incirlAntal t.o t.hA suit.
( f) Any other. furthP.r reli.efs the Hnnrnnahl e r'.01irf· mr1y deP.111
fit (emphasis mine).
While one may understand prayAr (a) and ( h) ( ;:ind so i.s c: P.: ;:incl
f) as :r.elating to the sum of tJSD 111_.25:L50 paid, prayer (rl)
cannot be understood unless pegged on p;:ir;:i. 1 O - 1 3 of the p J ;:i int
which i;t.ate
"10. 'l'hat t.he plai.ntiff suffenid s11hsL=intirll losi::: for
failing t.o export her copp<-:n- <'hrnt hy sea tn Om,·=rn.
1.1. 'T'hat. the Defendr1nt wrongfnl 1 y rlemarn'IAr'J sl·.orage chr11ges
from the plaintiff whi.le it. was thA dAfendant. who was thA a11thor
of t-hP. 1n-isrP.prP.sf:irtf·.nt.ion f·hal. hF!r prn-f· hris ;:1rlP.<:!lUitP. L1r··i Ii 1· ies Io
hanol e anrl sl.nrA r.opper d1Jsi· ..
17.. 'l'hat the plaintiff did not inh-rn<l l.n i:;tnrA her <".nppP.r
materials at the Defendants' store rathP.r tl1e copper materials
WP.re ston~d heca11se thA c'IP.fendant.' s port was 11nabl P. in the
prevailing cirr.umstances at t-he port to havP. the coppe1· m;:iterial
bP.jng shipped ready for export hy sea.
13. 'T'hat the Defendant RO far failed 1n totn to have the
plaintiff's copper dust exported by sea rnnfrary to OefAndant's
representation in the written offer.
1.4. That in the ci.rc11mst.anr.es thP. Plaintjff was cnmpAllecl by
the Defendant that either she paid 'T'SHS. 66,772,100/= (lJSD
111,?.S:LS0) or she could not-. hr1ve lrnr goods".
Tt is nnt possible therefore thr1t praypr (d) refers tn
damagAs for having paid usn 111, 7.!)7.. o for· it. has already r.L'limr->cl
i n t e r e s t-. t h A n=! on . 'T' h P. p 1 r1 i n t i f f rl rm s n n t t. P. I l 1 1 s a s t o w h e n
dP.f P.ndant· <lAmanded 1·0 he p;:i i rl thP. s11111 of IJ~~n ·111 .. ?.:i?.. sn, and,
11 n f n r t· u n at. e 1 y : e i t. he r i n ;11] v Pr t- a n t-. 1 y or h y rl es i g n .- th P p l r1 i n l
dead sil.ent on dates save for: Ann. P1 whirh shows that 'T'HA
ar.r.P.pte<'I to h.::JVP. pla.intiff's r.opper· nus!. A>:pnrte<'l though il port
hy Jef-.ter ilatP.d 9\8\94.: P1 which lP.t.t.er ::~hnw:::: thr1f· payment h;:is
heen made under protest nn 7.0\1\95: nnrl P?.", ;:rn invoice rln!P.<1
q
..
20()()!1 by plaint.i.ffs demanding for nfnnd of t.hA sum paid on
20\1()5, So, as al.r.eany oh!:::::ervecl,. the r.;;i11sP. of r1cti_on m11st hr1ve
acrued before payment of u:=m TTT . 252. 50 w;:is made: ohv.i_ously it·
would be hefore 20\1\95.
'J'h;;it put aside, for the s;:ikP- of· ;:irg11m1=rnt-., lel 11s 1";:ikp t·he
date orchP.strat.e<l hy the r.ounsel for the p.laintiff - ?.0()\9!1. 'l'he
question is whether assuming that Js tr1ken ;:is the cause of ;:ictinn
accrual date the filing of the suit. on 1:10_qf, would he in
compl.iance with the provisions of s.67(h) of Act 12 of 1()77 which
requires, in the circumstances, the plaintiff tn have filed the
suit within 12 months of the act complained against ( to adnpt
his reason:i ng .. that is the ra.i s.i ng of the i nvo:i ce for ref1mrl of
lJ 8 D T T T , 2 5 2 . 5 0 on 2 0 \ q _ q ~ I . ho II g h 1· h i s w n II hi no I he 1 he
defendant's act!!).
8.67 (h) has ;:ilr.P.r1rly been quoted above. 'l'he r1ct·io11 slrn11ld lw
file<'l within 12 months nf the ;:ir.t r.omplainP.rl AQi'linst .. Tf we go hv
the plaintiff's learnen rounRel 's ;:irg11mP.nh::;_. thrlt: thP. ;:ir.t.
compl;:iined ;:ig;:iinst. is thP. rais·ing of t·.he ·invo·icP for nfnnrl of
thP. IJRD TTT, ?.S2.SO on ?.O_g_g:,, then_. As rightly suhmiltA<l by Mt
Mi=mya, t.hP 1?. months pP.riorl P.nnerl on ?.O_q_Q5. l\R rAgr1nls Mr.
safarj 's argument of "r.ontin11011s ;:ir.t." T c;:in only say t-hat rtpart
from lack of r.l;:iri.ty r.1s to wh;:it. hA mP.ant· in t·he c:irc11111sl·;:inr.P.s,
regard being had to tha present set. of fats,. i.t is irrelevant
.as it would give hi.m less time (j11st. n months) as ohRervP.d hy Mr
Msuyr1..
As I have alr.eady observed, T r:1rn of thP. vi.Aw th;:it t·_hP. r.a11F;n
of ;:ict.ion ;:ir.r.rued well before ?.0\1\9:1 when pla:intiff p;=iirl mm
T T T .. ?. S 2 . 5 o u n d e r pro t. P. i:; t. -i n w h i r. h r. ;:i s e f i 1 i n g r1 s 11 i t. o n 1 _ ·1 n \ q n
would hP. in violnt.ion nf s.n7 (h) of l\11 ·17. nf 1g77_ F.ven if, for·
the sakP. of r1rg11ment, wp, arlopt the 1 P.i'l rn0.d r.ounsP.1 's der1d l i nes --
?.0\ 1 \ 9 !1 ;:inrl 20\9()!1_. i:;till the suit. woulrl liP. nut- of time ;:is
;:ilrP.ady indi.cated.
1 0
Jn conclusion, however sympathetic one m,3y he t.o the
pl;dntiff, for, on the set of facts, it. h;H'l poss.ibly ;=m rtrg11r1hlA
c;:i.se, this cour.t cannot. P.Xf-.P.nn evP.n ;i grr1 in nf ;i RP.co11<l 1·.o t·.hP.
per ion set.. As ohser.ved hy the 1 earned A111".ho1· _. K .• 1.- R11stomj i in
hjs text book
II
the Law of f.i.mitr1t.ion and Aclverse Possessjon" r.1.t·
p;:ige 1n, where he quoted Lor<'I Ch,3ncel.lor Gr;:inworth,
11
All per.iods of Limitation r.1re mon~ 01· less rJrhit.r;:iry, ;;inrl
may frequently result in hardsh.ip. Rut in constr.11i.ng such
provii=dons, eq11it.ahle consi.rlP.rrttinn ;:n-e nnt·. of plr1ce".
For the reasons di.scussP.<'I ahove, while t·he prelirninr1ry
objection regardi.ng non compliance with s.67 () of Act: 1 nf
1977 is dismissed the one r.oncerning non-complianc:e with s.fi7 (b)
is upheld with costs.
(L. B. Krtlegey;:i)
,JUOGF.
neliverea on 9th Octoher, 1998 in the presence of
Mr. ~rtfr1ri ;:ind Mchome.
( T.,. B. K;:i] egeyi:l)
,TUOGF.
11
.... •.,.·· . '