Caselaw

REPUBLIC OF KENYA IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI MILIMANI COMMERCIAL & ADMIRALTY DIVISION CIVIL CASE NO. 518 OF 2014 IMPRESSA CONSTRUZIONI GIUSEPPE MALTAURO SPA………………………..PLAINTIFF VERSUS GA INSURANCE LIMITED………………………..DEFENDANT RULING 1. There are two Notice of Motion applications before the court. The first application is dated 21st January 2015 filed by the Defendant and is seeking the striking out of the Plaint and dismissal of the suit. The second application is dated 9th March 2015 filed by the Plaintiff seeking the striking out of the Defence and entry of Judgment as prayed in the Plaint. I will not write a long Ruling on the matter, suffice to say that I have considered both applications and the supporting affidavits. I have also considered the use of judicial time and objections under Section 1A, 1B and 3A of the Civil Procedure Act, and I am of the view that the parties should, instead of pursing those applications, complete pre-trial directions, set out the matter for hearing and lead full evidence during the trial. Parties had filed written submission to the two applications. Perhaps if the parties had made oral submissions before the court, I would have noted the need for the suit to go for full trial in time. 2. It is now legally sound principle that a court will not strike out pleadings unless the need to do so is self evident and does not require additional evidence. Having looked at the two applications before the court, I am of the view that a prudent use of judicial time would be that which allows the parties to complete pre-trial directions and list the matter for full hearing. 3. In the upshot, both applications are not considered on merit, and the parties are advised to withdraw the same and set up the matter for trial. Orders accordingly. READ, DELIVERED AND DATED AT NAIROBI THIS 12TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2015 E. K. O. OGOLA JUDGE PRESENT: Mr. Muchiri for the Plaintiff No appearance for the Defendants Teresia – Court Clerk