GEORGINA MENSAH vs. DONEWELL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED [2017]DLHC3809

Date	2017-03-10
Suit No.	SUIT NO. GJ/223/2016
Citation No.	[2017]DLHC3809

JUSTICE GIFTY DEKYEM (MRS) JUSTICE OF THE HIGH COURT LABOUR DIVISION I ACCRA

MOHAMMED AWAL ALHASSAN ESQ. FOR PLAINTIFF

DANIEL KOOMSON ESQ FOR DEFENDANT (ABSENT)

[2017]DLHC3809
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >GEORGINA MENSAH<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>DONEWELL INSURANCE
COMPANY LIMITED<o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT (LABOUR &amp;
INDUSTRIAL DIVISION I), ACCRA]<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>SUIT NO. GJ/223/2016&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; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10TH MARCH, 2017<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;MOHAMMED AWAL ALHASSAN ESQ. FOR PLAINTIFF <o:p></o:p>DANIEL KOOMSON ESQ FOR
DEFENDANT (ABSENT) <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

</div>CORAM:<o:p></o:p>JUSTICE GIFTY DEKYEM (MRS)
JUSTICE OF THE HIGH COURT, LABOUR DIVISION I, ACCRA <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

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

</div>Plaintiff/Applicant is seeking the following reliefs in the suit: <o:p></o:p>1. An order for recovery of the sum of GHS800,403.00 being general
and special damages as well as costs awarded in her favour against the
Defendant’s insured being judgment debt in suit number BC 317/2015. 2. Interest
on the judgment sum above at a prevailing bank rate from 17th &nbsp;May, 2016 till date of final payment. <o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The instant application is for summary judgment pursuant to order
14(1) of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (CI 47) which provides
that: <o:p></o:p>&nbsp;“Where in an action a defendant has been
served with a statement of claim and has filed appearance, the plaintiff may on
notice apply to the Court for judgment against the defendant on the ground that
the defendant has no defence to a claim included in the writ, or to a
particular part of such a claim, or that the defendant has no defence to such a
claim or part of a claim, except as to the amount of any damages claimed.” <o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The only issue to consider is whether or not Defendant/Respondent
has a &nbsp;defence. It was held in Bank of West Africa Ltd v Ackun [1963] 1 GLR 176-182 SC <o:p></o:p>(2) that: “The onus of proof
in civil cases depends upon the pleadings. The party who in his pleadings
raises an issue essential to the success of his case assumes the burden of
proof......: Huyton-with-Roby U.D.C.
v. Hunter [1955] 2 All E.R. 398, C.A. applied.” The onus is on Plaintiff to
demonstrate that, Defendant has no defence. <o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The background of this case is that, Plaintiff issued a writ of
summons against Defendant’s insured by name Benjamin Essah, claiming general
and special damages for causing the death of her son, the late Isaac Nuamah.
Judgment was entered in favour of Plaintiff in the sum of GHS790,403.00 and
costs of GHS10,000.00 in suit number BC/317/2015 dated 17th May,
2016. It is trite that, the decision of a court of competent jurisdiction
remains valid until varied or set aside. There is no evidence whatsoever that
the judgment has been varied or set aside by way of review or appeal. Plaintiff
argued that, pursuant to section 10 of the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance)
Act, 1958 (No.42 of 58), where a certificate of insurance is delivered under
section 6(4) as in the case in suit number BC 317/2015 and judgment has been
obtained in respect of liability as in the instant case then the insurer is
bound to pay the person entitled to the benefit of the judgment without any
cavil. <o:p></o:p>It is the case of Plaintiff that, the instant action is purely an
enforcement one and not to determine any issues between the parties herein. The
section 10 of the Motor Insurance Act provides as follows: <o:p></o:p>