Samson Owino Ger v Marmanet Forest Co-operative & Credit Society Ltd [1988] KECA 92 (KLR)
The bottom line
#Kenya's Court of Appeal confirmed that once you pay an advocate to act for you, they must account for your money even if the deal falls through.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Existence of advocate-client relationship for purposes of Order 52 rule 4(1)
The respondent became the advocate's client upon retaining him and paying him Kshs 1.5 million; the judge's finding was amply supported on the evidence
The agreement of April 19, 1979 expressly provided the advocate would act for both parties, and the advocate admitted receiving a fee and the deposit. The submission that non-contribution by the other society negatived the relationship was rejected. Section 2 of the Advocates Act defines 'client' broadly to include anyone who retains or employs an advocate. The evidence of retention was unchallenged in cross-examination.
Advocate's obligation to account for monies received
Monies received by an advocate from his client for a transaction must be accounted for; purported payment to a third party is no discharge absent client authority
Client's money is defined by the Advocates (Accounts) Rules as money held or received on account of a person for whom the advocate acts. The advocate's half-hearted claim to have paid a third party could only be a valid discharge if the payment was authorised by the client.
Effect of retaining advocate notwithstanding failure of transaction
Even where the intended purchase did not materialise, the advocate was bound to refund the deposit less fees properly due
Once retained, the advocate's duty was to apply himself with utmost diligence to his instructions. The failure of Kongasis Farmers Co-operative Society to contribute did not relieve the advocate of his duties to the respondent, which alone had performed its obligations under the agreement.
Legal principles established
#- A person who retains an advocate in relation to a transaction thereby becomes that advocate's client within the meaning of section 2 of the Advocates Act
- Money paid to an advocate for a client's transaction is received as client's money and the advocate is under a duty to account for it; payment to a third party discharges that duty only if made with the client's authority
- An advocate retained but unable to execute instructions must refund the deposit subject to fees properly due
- Order 52 rule 4(1) provides a useful summary procedure for ordering an advocate to deliver a cash account
Court orders
#- 1.Appeal dismissed (announced November 10, 1988, with reasons delivered November 17, 1988)
- 2.Appellant to pay costs of the appeal
- On appeal from
- High Court of Kenya at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction invoked
- First appellate jurisdiction under the Civil Procedure regime (appeal from High Court ruling; specific statutory basis not stated in judgment)
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Samson Owino Ger v Marmanet Forest Co-operative & Credit Society Ltd [1988] KECA 92 (KLR)", Case Analysis (1988). Court of Appeal Appeal (number not stated in judgment). Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keca/1988/92/eng@1988-11-17
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.