BRITISH WEST AFRICAN INSURANCE SERVICES, LTD. vs. ABDILMASIH [1959]DLHC1998

Date	1959-04-16
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1959]DLHC1998

SMITH J.

A. G. HEWARD-MILLS FOR PLAINTIFF.

AKUFO-ADDO FOR DEFENDANT.

[1959]DLHC1998
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" ><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:
115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:Times;color:#548DD4;mso-themecolor:text2;mso-themetint:
153">BRITISH WEST AFRICAN INSURANCE SERVICES, LTD. <o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:
115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:Times;color:#548DD4;mso-themecolor:text2;mso-themetint:
153">vs.<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:
115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:Times;color:#548DD4;mso-themecolor:text2;mso-themetint:
153">ABDILMASIH<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;[HIGH COURT, ACCRA]<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[1959] GLR 40<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">

DATE:
16TH APRIL, 1959.<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

A. G.
HEWARD-MILLS FOR PLAINTIFF.<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM:
<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

SMITH J.<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>JUDGMENT OF SMITH J.<o:p></o:p>(His
lordship stated the facts, and proceeded:-)<o:p></o:p>So far as
the actual execution is concerned, I do not think any liability can be attached
to the judgment-creditor in view of the instructions given to the Sheriff, the
issue of the writ of fi.fa. and the evidence given by the bailiffs who carried
out the execution.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>But the
main point, in the circumstances of this case, is the question whether
execution can be levied against agents in this country of a foreign principal.
I have not been cited any authority on the matter. On consideration, however, I
have come to the conclusion, on the facts of this particular case, that the
execution of the writ of fi.fa. was proper.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The
British West African Insurance Services, Limited, are virtually identified in
this country with their principals, Greshams of London. Policies are issued, of
course, in the name of the principals but the whole business is in the hands of
the local agents. Full and wide powers are given under the Power of Attorney,
to which I have already referred. To decide, in the circumstances that agents
owning property in this country, with the rights and powers given them under
the Power of Attorney, should be in the position merely to say to any judgment-creditor,
“Collect the debt in London,” would in my view be wrong and unjust. I agree
with the submission of Mr. Akufo-Addo in this case, and I accordingly dismiss
the action.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>It is
unnecessary, in view of my decision, to deal with the question of damages. I
will, however, say this. I accept the evidence led by the plaintiff as the
effect of the sealing-up of the premises under writ of fi.fa. by
court-officials. There would obviously be some loss of business during the four
days in question, and damage to reputation and prestige. Among business firms
in Accra there was (I accept) some talk about the matter. In particular there
was the evidence of Mr. Adair, and the possible loss I cannot put it any higher
than to the plaintiff of the marine insurance business, that the transfer of
which from his firm to British West African Insurance Services, Limited, was
being considered. As against any question of damage, however, there is no doubt
that by their conduct the British West African Insurance Services, Limited, to
a great extent brought all this trouble on themselves, and had my decision been
the other way, the damages would have been nominal.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></main>