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CHAPTER 47 - SMALL CLAIMS COURTS ACT: SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION

INDEX TO SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION

Small Claims Courts Rules

Small Claims Court, (Limit of Jurisdiction) (LiquidAted Claims) Rules, 2009

Small Claims Court Rules, 2009

SMALL CLAIMS COURTS RULES

Arrangement of Rules

   Rule

PART I
PRELIMINARY

   1.   Title

   2.   Interpretation

PART II
COMMENCEMENT OF CLAIMS AND SERVICE OF PROCESS

   3.   Filing of Notice of Claim

   4.   Receipt of Notice of Claim

   5.   Certificate of Service of Notice of Claim

   6.   Service of Form 2 on claimant

   7.   Filing of notice of admission, defence and counterclaim

   8.   Awards in default of defence and for admitted claims

PART III
HEARING OF CASES

   9.   Notice of Hearing

   10.   Appearance of parties

   11.   Absence of both parties or any of them

   12.   Where both parties are present

PART IV
INTERNAL PROCEDURES OF COURT AND AWARDS

   13.   Notes of proceedings

   14.   Award

   15.   Registration of award

   16.   Particulars of Award and Dismissal of Claim

PART V
APPEALS

   17.   Warrants of Distress

   18.   Appeal and stay of execution

   19.   Notice of Appeal

PART VI
OTHER MATTERS

   20.   Fees

   21.   Court messenger’s expense

   22.   Witness’s expenses

   23.   Sitting allowance

   24.   Subsistence allowance

   25.   Travelling allowance

   26.   Duties and functions of Clerk of the court

      FIRST SCHEDULE

      SECOND SCHEDULE

[Rules by the Chief Justice]

Act 13 of 1994,

SI 85 of 1994.

PART I
PRELIMINARY

 

1. Title

These Rules may be cited as the Small Claims Courts Rules.

 

2. Interpretation

   (1) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires—

“arbitrator” has the meaning assigned to it under sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Act;

“award” has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Act;

“claim” means a civil proceeding brought under rule 3;

“claimant” means a person who has filed a claim in court otherwise than by way of a counterclaim or as a defendant;

“Clerk of the Court” means a person appointed as such under section 10 of the Act and includes an assistant clerk of the court or other officer performing or assisting a clerk in his duties;

“court” means a small claims court established under section 3 of the Act;

“court messenger” means a person authorised to serve process and levy distress and otherwise execute orders of the court;

“defendant” means a person against whom a claim has been filed in court;

“expenses” includes allowances;

“fee” means money paid to a court on filing any document;

“process” means any document issued by a court;

“Registrar” means the Registrar of the High court and includes a Deputy Registrar, District Registrar and Assistant Registrar;

“sheriff” has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Sheriffs Act;

“warrant of distress” means a warrant issued by the court under section 24 of the Act;

   (2) Wherever in these Rules anything is required to be done within a specified number of days from the happening of any event, the period shall start to run from the day on which the event aforesaid occurs.

PART II
COMMENCEMENT OF CLAIMS AND SERVICE OF PROCESS

 

3. Filing of Notice of Claim

A claim shall be commenced by the claimant completing and filing with the Clerk of the Court, upon payment of the prescribed fee, a Notice of Claim, which shall be in Form 1 of the First Schedule.

 

4. Receipt of Notice of Claim

   (1) A Notice of Claim shall, before being issued, be stamped with the Registry stamp, given a number and the particulars of the claim and the names of the parties entered in the Register.

   (2) A Notice of Admission, Defence or Counter claim in Form 2 of the First Schedule shall be attached to a copy of the Notice of Claim for Service upon the defendant.

   (3) A receipt for the prescribed fee shall be issued to the claimant in such form as may be prescribed.

 

5. Certificate of Service of Notice of Claim

The court messenger shall personally serve upon the defendant a Notice of Claim to which shall be attached Form 2 of the First Schedule and thereafter file in court a Certificate of Service in Form 3 of the First Schedule.

 

6. Service of Form 2 of claimant

The Court messenger shall serve a copy of the completed Form 2 upon the claimant.

 

7. Filing of Notice of admission, defence and counterclaim

The defendant shall within 14 days of service upon him of the Notice of Claim complete and file with the clerk of the court Form 2, which will have been served together with the Notice of Claim, indicating his admission of the claim, his intention to defend the claim or to counterclaim.

 

8. Awards in default of defence and for admitted claims

The arbitrator shall make an appropriate award where—

      (a)   the defendant fails to file a defence after 14 days of service of the Notice of Claim upon him but an award made under this paragraph shall on sufficient cause being shown be set aside on an application made in Form 4 of the First Schedule by the defendant made to the court within 7 days of the defendant being award of the award.

      (b)   the claim or part of it is admitted.

PART III
HEARING OF CASES

 

9. Notice of Hearing

The Clerk of the Court shall, upon receipt of Form 2, if any, issue and cause to be served upon the parties a Notice of Hearing in Form 5 of the First Schedule, specifying the date, time and place of the court sitting and the name of the arbitrator.

 

10. Appearance of parties

The parties shall attend the hearing in person.

 

11. Absence of both parties or any of them

   (1) If none of the parties attend or if the claimant fails to attend the hearing, the claim may be dismissed except where there is a counterclaim, in which case the court may hear the defendant and make an award in his favour and, if the defendant fails to attend the hearing, an award may be made against him and the counterclaim, if any, dismissed:

Provided that an award in the absence of a party may be set aside on sufficient cause being shown and a claim dismissed may be reopened and restored to the active list on sufficient cause being shown.

   (2) Any application to set aside an award or re-open a claim shall be made within 7 days and shall be in Forms 4 and 6, respectively, of the First Schedule.

 

12. Where both parties are present

   (1) Where both parties attend, the claimant shall open his case and call witnesses, if any, and may be cross-examined by the defendant.

   (2) At the close of the claimant’s case, the defendant shall present his defence and counter-claim, if any, and call witnesses, if any, and may be cross-examined by the claimant.

   (3) The evidence of the parties and witnesses shall be taken on oath or affirmation.

   (4) At the close of the proceedings no party shall address the court.

PART IV
INTERNAL PROCEDURES OF COURT AND AWARDS

 

13. Notes of proceedings

The court shall not maintain a case record of the proceedings but shall keep notes of such proceedings.

 

14. Award

   (1) The court may either dismiss the claim or make an award.

   (2) The decision of the court shall not be reserved to another day and shall be delivered in open court and after delivery shall be reduced to Form 7 of the First Schedule.

 

15. Registration of award

Every award or dismissal of the claim shall be entered against the claim in the Register opened and maintained for that purpose and shall be open to personal inspection by the parties during office hours.

 

16. Particulars of award of dismissal of claim

Particulars of every award or dismissal of the award and the claim shall be in Form 8 of the First Schedule and shall be transmitted to the Registrar of the High Court in terms of sub-section (2) of section 20 of the Act.

PART V
APPEALS

 

17. Warrants of distress

   (1) An award which has not been settled shall be enforced by the court issuing a warrant of distress under section 21 and under sub-section (1) of section 24 of the Act, which warrant shall be in Form 9 of the First Schedule.

   (2) A warrant of distress shall be executed by a court messenger or the Sheriff of Zambia.

 

18. Appeal and stay of execution

A party aggrieved by the decision of the court may, within 30 days of the decision, appeal to the High Court on a point of law but such appeal shall not operate as stay of execution of the award.

 

19. Notice of appeal

   (1) A Notice of Appeal shall be in Form 10 of the First Schedule.

   (2) An appellant may at any time after lodging the appeal and before it is heard withdraw it by filing a Notice of Withdrawal in Form 11 of the First Schedule and shall serve a copy on the respondent.

PART VI
OTHER MATTERS

 

20. Fees

The fees prescribed in the Second Schedule shall be paid by the person at whose instance the document concerned is filed or issued.

 

21. Court messenger’s expenses

   (1) The court messenger’s expenses for serving or attempting to serve any court process on any party or witness shall be borne by the party at whose instance the process was issued.

   (2) For the purpose of sub-rule (1) the rates applicable shall be those for the time being applicable to Local Courts.

 

22. Witness’s expenses

A witness’s travelling expenses and subsistence allowance shall be borne by the party calling him and for this purpose rule 21 (2) shall apply.

 

23. Sitting allowance

An arbitrator shall be paid, out of the general revenues of the Republic, a sitting allowance equivalent to that paid to the Chairman of a Commission of Inquiry appointed under the Inquiries Act.

 

24. Subsistence allowance

An arbitrator who has to spend a night away from home on account of sitting shall be paid subsistence allowance applicable to a superscale officer in the Civil Service, but where the hotel bill is greater than the allowance, he shall be paid the actual cost of board and accommodation.

 

25. Travelling allowance

An arbitrator who uses his private transport shall be paid kilometer allowance at the rate applicable to a superscale officer in the Civil Service.

 

26. Duties and functions of clerk of the court

The duties and functions of the Clerk of the Court at each Registry of the Small Claims Court shall, in addition to any other duties and functions imposed by any of these Rules or any other written law, be-

      (a)   to issue and stamp all documents filed in court;

      (b)   to verify all court fees payable on all documents filed in court;

      (c)   to keep and maintain a Claims Register in which the following particulars shall be entered:

      (i)   the case number;

      (ii)   the names of the parties;

      (iii)   the particulars of the Notice of Claim;

      (iv)   the date of filing a Notice of Admission, Defence or Counterclaim;

      (v)   the outcome of the claim;

      (d)   to issue and stamp Notices of Hearing, Notices of Appeal, Warrants of Distress and Summons to Witnesses;

      (e)   to seal all awards;

      (f)   to remit in Form 8 particulars of any award or dismissal of claim to the Registrar of the High Court;

      (g)   to prepare and remit records of appeals to the High Court;

FIRST SCHEDULE

[Rules 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21 and 26]

LIST OF FORMS

1. Notice of Claim (rules 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 29).

2. Notice of Admission, Defence or Counterclaim (rules 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 26).

3. Certificate of Service (rule 5).

4. Application to Set Aside Award given in default of Defence or in the Absence of a Party (rules 8 and 11).

5. Notice of Hearing (rule 9).

6. Application to Restore Dismissed Claim (rule 11).

7. Form of Award or Dismissal of Claim (rule 14).

8. Particulars of Award and Dismissal of Claim (rules 16 and 26).

9. Warrant of Distress (rules 17 and 26).

10. Notice of Appeal (rules 19 and 26).

11. Notice of withdrawal of appeal (rule 19).

12. Summons to a Witness (rule 21).

FORM 1

NOTICE OF CLAIM

[Rules 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 26]

In the Small Claims Court at ..............................................................................................................

Case No………………………………………

Between:

1......................................................................................................................................................... Claimant

Name in full

.....................................................................................................................................................................

Residential address

.....................................................................................................................................................................

Business and postal address

2.....................................................................................................................................................................Defendant

Name in full

.....................................................................................................................................................................

Residential address

.....................................................................................................................................................................

Business and postal address

DETAILS OF YOUR CLAIM

3. Amount of money claimed or what is claimed ..................................................................................

4. Nature of the claim...........................................................................................................................................

5. Details of Documents in support of the claim

(attached copies)

1...........................................................................................................

2..........................................................................................................

3. ..........................................................................................................

Signature…………………………………….

Date……………………………………….

NOTE TO DEFENDANT

Judgement may be obtained against you and may be enforced without further notice unless within 14 days of the service of this Notice of Claim, inclusive of the day of service, you complete and file with this court the attached Notice of Admission, Defence or Counterclaim, stating your defence and counterclaim, if any or admission of the claim.


{mprestriction ids="2,3,5"}

Dated this................................................day of .................................. 19....................

(Court seal or stamp)

………………………………..

Clerk of the Court

FORM 2

NOTICE OF ADMISSION, DEFENCE OR COUNTERCLAIM

[Rules 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 26]

In the Small Claims Court at..........................................................................................................

Case No. ……………………………….

Between:

1. ............................................................................................................................................................... Claimant

Name in full

..................................................................................................................................................................................

Residential address

..................................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................................

Business and postal address

2. ...............................................................................................................................................................Defendant

Name in full

....................................................................................................................................................................................

Residential address

....................................................................................................................................................................................

Business and postal address

I. ....................................................................................................................................................................................

The above named defendant

1. ADMIT the Claimant’s Claim

2. DISPUTE the Claimant’s Claim for the following reasons.................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................................

3. Have a Counterclaim against the Claimant for the sum of K .......................................................... for (State
nature of Counter-claim)...................................................................................................................................

Signature…………………………………….

Date……………………………………….

N.B. Delete what is inappropriate

FORM 3

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

[Rule 5]

In the Small Claims Court at.................................................................................................................................

Case No. …………………………………………

Between:

1. ................................................................................................................................. Claimant

Name in full

.................................................................................................................................

Residential address

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

Business and postal address

2. ................................................................................................................................. Defendant

.................................................................................................................................

Residential address

.................................................................................................................................

Business and postal address

I certify that I personally did serve upon the defendant on the ..............................................................day
of ............................... 19..........the

Notice of Claim.

…………………………………

Court Messenger

FORM 4

APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE AWARD

[Rules 8 and 11]

In the Small Claims Court at..............................................................

Case No. ………………………………….

Between:

1............................................................................................................................(Claimant)

and

2...........................................................................................................................(Defendant)

To: The Clerk of the Court

The Claimant

Take Notice that I..............................................................apply to the Court that the award which was made against me for failure to file any defence/in my absence at the hearing be set aside on the following grounds:

1...............................................................

2..............................................................

Take further Notice that my application will be heard on the ..............................................................day
of..............................................................19 ....... at ................................ Dated

the..............................................................day of ......................... 19 .........

………………………………..

Signed: Defendant

N.B. Delete what is inappropriate

FORM 5

NOTICE OF HEARING

In the Small Claims Court at..................................................................................................

Case No. …………………………………

Between:

1. ................................................................................................................................. (Claimant)

and

2. ............................................................................................................................(Defendant)

to both Parties

Take Notice that this case will be heard on the .............................................................. day of ............................ 19 ....... at ........................ hours and that if you do not attend the time and place above mentioned, such order will be made as the Court thinks just.

Dated the................................. day of ................................ 19 .........

……………………………………….

Clerk of the Court

FORM 6

APPLICATION TO RESTORE DISMISSED CLAIM

[Rule 11]

In the Small Claims Court at................................................................................................................

Case No. ………………………………..

Between:

1. .................................................................................................................................... (Claimant)

and

2..............................................................................................................................(Defendant)

To: The Clerk of the Court

The Defendant

Take Notice that I........................................................................................................apply to the Court that my claim which was dismissed at the hearing due to my absence be re-opened on the following grounds:

1..........................................................................................................................................................

2. .........................................................................................................................................................

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that my application will be heard on the ..............................................................day
of ......................... 19 ........ at.............................................................. (place)

Dated the ............................ day of ............................. 19........

…………………………………………

Signed: Claimant

FORM 7

FORM OF AWARD OR DISMISSAL OF CLAIM

[Rule 14]

In the Small Claims Court at....................................................................................................................

Case No. ………………………………..

Between:

1. ............................................................................................................................................ (Claimant)

and

2. ......................................................................................................................................... (Defendant)

My decision, after considering what has been said, is as follows:

1. That the claim be dismissed for the following reasons:

(a).........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................

(b).........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................etc.

2. That the award be made against the Defendant for the amount of ............... kwacha for the following reasons:

(a).........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................

(b).........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................etc.

…………………………………

Arbitrator

NOTE TO DEFENDANT

The award of this Court once entered in the Register may be enforced against you by the Court issuing a Warrant of Distress authorising the Court Messenger or Sheriff of Zambia or his officers to seize your goods and auction them.

[Am by Act 13 of 1994.]

FORM 8

PARTICULARS OF THE AWARD AND OF DISMISSAL OF CLAIM

[Rules 16 and 26]

In the Small Claims Court at ............................................................................................................

Case No. ……………………………………

Between:

1.......................................................................................................................................... (Claimant)

and

2. ......................................................................................................................................... (Defendant)

To: The Registrar of the High Court

I, the Clerk of the Court at the above Station, give you particulars of the decision of the Court in this case given on the ................................................ day of
the ...................................................... by ……………………… (Name of Arbitrator)

as follows:

1. The claim was dismissed for the following reasons:

(a).........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................

(b).........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................etc.

2. The defendant was ordered to pay the sum of K....................................by:

(i) Installments of K...............each, the last of which is to be paid on the..........................
day of ............................ 19 ........

(ii) One lump sum to be paid by the ...........................................day of .................................19.........

3. The Court ordered restitution of the property to be made by the ........................................................................................day
of .................................. 19 ........

4. The Court ordered specific performance of the contract, such performance to be done by
the......................................day of.........................19 .........

Dated the ...............................day of .................................. 19 .........

…………………………………..

Clerk of the Court

FORM 9

WARRANT OF DISTRESS

[Rules 17 and 26]

In the Small claims Court at............................................................................................

Case No. ……………………………………

Between:

1....................................................................................................................................... (Claimant)

and

2. ...................................................................................................................................................(Defendant)

To: The Court Messenger/Sheriff of Zambia

WHEREAS .............................................. of ...............................................was on the .................................day of ................................ 19 ........... ordered by this Court to pay the sum of K .............................................................
to the claimant by the ........................................................................................... day of ......................19........ and has not made such payment as ordered:

You are hereby ordered to seize and sell, without delay, the property of the said person to the extent of obtaining thereby the sum of K ..................................................., being the amount due from him at this date under the said order to pay, together with the sum of K.............................., being the fee of execution of this warrant showing the sum received for each article by such sale, to this court, to be dealt with according to law.

If, before or during such sale, the amount which is or remains due from the said person as aforesaid
is paid to you, the sale shall not be proceeded with.

The following forms of property shall not be sold:

      (a)   personal clothing, beds and bedding and household utensils for the use of the owner and his family;

      (b)   implements of husbandry and tools of the trade of the owner;

      (c)   foodstuffs required for the feeding of the owner and his defendants;

      (d)   any property claimed by a third party or in which a third party has an interest.

Dated the ..............................................day of ..................... 19 .............

……………………………………

Clerk of the Court

ENDORSEMENT OF EXECUTION ON NON-EXECUTION

This warrant was executed by me on the ........................................................................day of ...........................................19..........at ......................................... (place) and a list of articles sold and amounts received thereby is attached.

......................................................................................................................................

Dated the....................................................... day of.................................................19 ..........

……………………………………

Court Messenger/Sheriff

(ON SUBSEQUENT EXECUTION)

This warrant was executed by me the .......................................................................day
of ..................................... 19 ........... at ....................................................................(place)
Dated the.........................................................day of ...........................19..............

………………………………………..

Court Messenger/Sheriff

(ON REVERSE SIDE)

ENDORSEMENTS

If property to be sold is outside the area of jurisdiction of the authorised officer within whose area of jurisdiction the issuing court is situated, endorsement by authorised officer.

(Date stamp)................................................................

Signed………………………………..

…………………………………………

Clerk of the Court

Endorsed by the Small Claims Court within whose area of jurisdiction the Warrant of Distress is to be executed.

(Date stamp)

………………………………………...

Clerk of the Court

FORM 10

NOTICE OF APPEAL

In the Small Claims Court at..........................................................................................................

Case No. ……………………………….

Between:

1. .............................................................................................................................. (Claimant)

and

2. ........................................................................................................................... (Defendant)

Take Notice that I,.................................................................................................. being dissatisfied with the dismissal of my claim/award against me given on the ......................................................day of ......................................................19 ......... appeal to the High Court on the following grounds:

1. ........................................................................................................................................................;

2. .......................................................................................................................................................etc.

Dated the. ........................................................................................day of ........................... 19 ..............

Signed ……………………………

Claimant/Defendant

To: The Registrar of the High Court

Filed at....................................................................... this ............................. day of ............................... 19 .......

.....................................................
Registrar of the High Court

FORM 11

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEAL

[Rule 19]

In the Small Claims Court at............................................................................................................

Case No. ………………………….

Between:

1. ............................................................................................................................................ (Claimant)

and

2. ............................................................................................................................................(Defendant)

To: The Registrar of the High Court

Clerk of the Court

Defendant/Claimant

Take Notice that I........................................................................................................have withdrawn my appeal against the dismissal of my claim/the award filed on the ........................................................................................
day of ....................................... 19 ........

Dated the........................................................................................ day of ...................................... 19 ........

Signed………………………………….

Claimant/Defendant

FORM 12

SUMMONS TO A WITNESS

[Rule 21]

In the Small Claims Court at............................................................................................

Case No. ………………………………..

Between:

1. .......................................................................................................................................... (Claimant)

and

2. ..........................................................................................................................................Defendant)

To: .......................................................... of............................................................................................

You are commanded in the name of the President to attend in person before this Court at on the ......................... day of ……………………………….. 19 ........... and so from day to day till the above case is to be tried, to testify all that you know in the said case on behalf of the Claimant/Defendant at the instance of the Court.

Dated the ......................................... day of............................................................................................19 ...........

…………………………………

Clerk of the Court

SECOND SCHEDULE

[Rule 20]

FEES

 

Fee units 

1. On a claim 

2. On a counterclaim 

3. On an application to re-open a claim 

10 

4. On an application to set aside an award 

10 

5. On filing a Notice of Appeal 

6. On filing a Notice of Withdrawal of Appeal 

7. On issuing a Warrant of Distress 

8. On issuing Summons to Witness 

3

 

[Am by Act 13 of 1994.]

SMALL CLAIMS COURT, (LIMIT OF JURISDICTION) (LIQUIDATED CLAIMS) RULES, 2009

[Section 5]

Arrangement of Rules

Rule

   1.    Title

   2.   Limit of Jurisdiction

SI 30 of 2009.

 

1. Title

These Rules may be cited as the Small Claims Court (limit of Jurisdiction) (Liquidated Claims) Rules, 2009.

 

2. Limit of Jurisdiction

Subject to the Act, a small claims court has jurisdiction in all personal suits, whether arising from contract or tort or from both, where the value of the property, debt or damages claimed as a balance of accounts or otherwise, is not more than 20 million kwacha.

SMALL CLAIMS COURT RULES, 2009

[Section 5]

[Re-denominate the currency as stipulated under S 4 of Re-denomination Act, 8 of 2012, read with Bank of Zambia Act, 43 of 1996.]

Arrangement of Rules

PART I
PRELIMINARY

Rule

   1.   Title

   2.   Interpretation

PART II
COMMENCEMENT OF CLAIMS

   3.   Filing of claim

   4.   Notice of admission, defence and counterclaim

   5.   Service of claim

   6.   Notice of hearing

PART III
HEARING OF CASES

   7.   Parties to attend hearing in person

   8.   Hearing of case

PART IV
JUDGMENTS

   9.   Notes of proceedings

   10.   Judgment

   11.   Judgement in default of defence

   12.   Particulars of judgement or dismissal of claim

   13.   Settlement of judgment

PART V
REVIEWS

   14.   Writ of execution

   15.   Application for review

PART IV
GENERAL

   16.   Fees

   17.   Witness expenses

   18.   Sitting allowance

   19.   Subsistence allowance

   20.   Travelling allowance

   21.   Duties and functions of Clerk of Court

      FIRST SCHEDULE

      SECOND SCHEDULE

 

PART I
PRELIMINARY

SI 31 of 2009.

 

1. Title

These Rules may be cited as the Small Claims Court Rules, 2009.

 

2. Interpretation

   (1) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires–

“claims” means a civil proceeding brought under rule 3;

“Clerk of Court” means a person appointed as such under section 10 of the Act, and include an assistant Clerk of Court or other officer performing, or assisting the Clerk of Court in the Clerk’s duties;

“commissioner” has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Act;

“court” means a small claims court established under section 3 of the Act;

“defendant” means a person against whom a claim has been filed in court;

“expenses” includes allowances;

“fee” means money paid to a court on filing a document;

“judgment” has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Act;

“plaintiff” means a person who has filed a claim in court otherwise than by way of a counterclaim or as a defendant;

“process” means any document issued by the court;

“Registrar” means the Registrar of the High Court, a Deputy Registrar, District Registrar and Assistant Registrar;

“sheriff” has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Sheriff’s Act; and

“writ of execution” means a writ of execution issued by the court under section 24 of the Act.

   (2) Where in these Rules anything is required to be done within a specified number of days from the happening of any event, the period shall start to run from the day on which the event occurs.

PART II
COMMENCEMENT OF CLAIMS

 

3. Filing of claim

   (1) A person wishing to file a claim shall commence the claim by completing and filing with the Clerk of Court a notice of claim, with the letter of demand attached, in Form I set out in the First Schedule.

   (2) The Clerk of Court shall, before issuing a notice of claim, stamp the claim, give the claim a cause number and record the particulars of the claim and the names of the parties in the Register.

    (3) A person shall not file a claim unless the person has caused to be issued and served upon the defendant a letter of demand stating the nature of the claim and requiring the defendant within 14 days of receipt of such letter, to admit or deny the claim in accordance with section 16A of the Act.

    (4) A claim made under sub-rule (1) shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

 

4. Notice of admission, defence or counterclaim

The defendant shall, within 14 days of receipt of the notice of claim, complete and file with the Clerk of Court, a notice of admission, defence or counterclaim in Form II set out in the First Schedule.

 

5. Service of claim

   (1) A notice of claim shall be served personally upon the defendant by the plaintiff or any other person designated to effect service.

   (2) A person effecting service under sub-rule (1) shall, once service has been effected on a defendant, cause the defendant to acknowledge service by endorsing on a copy of the notice of claim as proof of service.

   (3) Where the defendant refuses to acknowledge service, the person effecting the service shall endorse such refusal on a copy of the notice, which endorsement shall suffice for purposes of proving service.

   (4) A certificate of service shall be in Form III set out in the First Schedule.

 

6. Notice of hearing

The Clerk of Court shall, upon receipt of a notice of admission, defence and counterclaim, issue and cause a notice of hearing to be served upon the parties in Form IV set out in the First Schedule.

PART III
HEARING OF CASES

 

7. Parties to attend hearing in person

   (1) The parties to a case shall attend the hearing in person.

   (2)The court shall dismiss the claim if neither of the parties to a case attend the hearing, or if the plaintiff fails to attend the hearing, without sufficient cause being shown:

Provided that where there is a counterclaim, the court shall hear the defendant and enter judgement in the defendant’s favour.

   (3) Where the defendant fails to attend the hearing, the court shall enter judgement against the defendant and dismiss the counterclaim.

   (4) A party in whose absence a judgement is made or claim dismissed may, within seven days of entry of the judgement or dismissal of the claim, on sufficient cause being shown, apply to the court to set aside the judgement or re-open and restore the dismissed claim to the active list.

   (5) An application to set aside a judgement or restore a claim to the active list shall be made in Forms V and VI, respectively, set out in the First Schedule.

 

8. Hearing of case

   (1) Where both parties to a case attend the hearing, the plaintiff shall open the plaintiff’s case and call witnesses, if any.

   (2) The defendant may cross-examine the plaintiff where a Commissioner so directs, upon the request of the defendant.

   (3) The plaintiff may cross-examine the defendant where the Commissioner so directs, upon the request of the plaintiff.

   (4) The defendant shall, at the close of the plaintiff’s case, present a defence and counterclaim, if any, and call witnesses, if any.

   (5) The evidence of the parties and witnesses shall be taken on oath or affirmation.

   (6) No party shall address the court at the close of the proceedings.

PART IV
JUDGMENTS

 

9. Notes of proceedings

The court shall not maintain in a case record of the proceedings but shall keep of such proceedings.

 

10. Judgment

   (1) The court shall render a judgement in which it may either uphold or dismiss a claim on the issues before it.

   (2) A judgement of the court shall not be reserved to another day and shall be delivered in open court immediately after the hearing in Form VII set out in the First Schedule.

 

11. Judgments in default of defence

   (1) A Commissioner shall render an appropriate judgement where–

      (a)   The defendant fails to file a defence after 14 days of service of the notice of claim upon the defendant in accordance with sub-section (3) of section 18 of the Act; or

      (b)   The claim or part of it is admitted by the defendant.

   (2) A Commissioner may set aside a judgement made under this rule, on sufficient cause being shown by the defendant.

   (3) An application to set aside a judgement made under sub-rule (1) shall be made in form V set out in the First Schedule.

 

12. Particulars of judgement or dismissal of claim

   (1) The Clerk of Court shall enter every judgement or dismissal of claim in the Register, which shall be open to inspection by the parties during office hours.

   (2) The Clerk of Court shall record the particulars of every claim and judgement in Form VIII set out in the First Schedule and transmit it to the Registrar.

 

13. Settlement of judgment

The parties to a case shall comply with a judgement within three days of its being delivered.

PART V
REVIEWS

 

14. Writ of execution

   (1) The court shall, where a judgement is not specified within three days, issue a writ of execution upon the defendant in accordance with section 24 of the Act.

   (2) A writ of execution shall be in Form IX set out in the First Schedule and shall be executed by a court messenger or the Sheriff of Zambia.

 

15. Application for review

   (1) A party aggrieved with any decision of the court may, within 30 days of the decision, apply for review in accordance with section 20A of the Act.

   (2) An application for review shall be issued in Form X set out in the First Schedule.

   (3) A notice of application for review shall be issued in Form X set out in the First Schedule.

   (4) An applicant may, at any time after lodging a notice of application for review and before it is heard, withdraw it by filing a notice of withdrawal in Form XI set out in the First Schedule.

   (5) Three Commissioners appointed by the Registrar shall determine an application for review of the decision of a court.

   (6) A decision of the panel on review shall be final.

PART VI
GENERAL

 

16. Fees

   (1) The fees set out in the Second Schedule shall be paid by the person at whose instance the document concerned is filed or issued.

   (2) The Clerk of Court shall cause to be issued a receipt for the fee paid by a person filing a document.

 

17. Witnesses expenses

A witness’s travelling expenses and subsistence allowance shall be borne by the party calling the witness.

 

18. Sitting allowance

A Commissioner shall be paid, out of the general revenues of the Republic, a sitting allowance equivalent to that paid to the Chairperson of a Commission of inquiry appointed under the Inquiries Act.

 

19. Subsistence allowance

A Commissioner who has to spend a night away from home on account of sitting shall be paid subsistence allowance at a rate determined by the Secretary to the Cabinet:

Provided that where the hotel bill is more than the allowance, the Commissioner shall be paid the actual cost of board and accommodation.

 

20. Travelling allowance

A Commissioner who uses private transport shall be paid a kilometre allowance at a rate determined by the Secretary to the Cabinet.

 

21.    Duties and functions of Clerk of Court

The duties and functions of the Clerk of Court at each Registry of the court shall, in addition to any other duties and functions imposed by these Rules or any other written law, be to–

      (a)   issue and stamp all documents filed in court;

      (b)   verify all court fees payable on all documents filed in court;

      (c)   keep and maintain a Claims Register in which the following particulars shall be entered;

      (i)   the case number;

      (ii)   the names of the parties;

      (iii)   the particulars of the notice of claim;

      (iv)   the date of filing a notice of admission, defence or counterclaim; and

      (v)   the outcome of the claim;

      (d)   issue and stamp notices of hearing, notice of review, writs of execution and summons to witnesses;

      (e)   seal all judgments;

      (f)   remit particulars of any judgement or dismissal of claim to the Registrar; and

      (g)   prepare and remit records of reviews to the High Court.

FIRST SCHEDULE

[Rules 3(1), 4, 5(4), 7(5), 10,11,12, 14 (2) and 15]

COURT FORMS

FORM I

[Rules 3(1), 4 and 5(4)]

NOTICE OF CLAIM

In the Small Claims Court at …………………………………………………….. Case No. …………………………

Between:

1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Plaintiff

Name in full

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Residential address

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Business and postal address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Defendant Name in full

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Business and postal address.....................................................................................................................................

DETAILS OF CLAIM

3. Amount of money claimed or what is claimed ……………………………………………………………….

4. Nature of the claim ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

5. Details of documents in support of the claim

(attached copies)

1. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Signature ……………………………………………

Date …………………………………………………….

NOTES TO DEFENDANT

Judgement may be obtained against you, and may be enforced without further notice unless within 14 days of the service of this Notice of Claim, inclusive of the day of service, you complete and file with this court the attached Notice of Admission, Defence or Counterclaim, stating your defence and counterclaim, if any or admission of the claim.

Dated this ……………………………… day of ………………………………………………………………. 20…

(Court seal or stamp)

…………………………………………

Clerk of Court

*You may endorse further information on your claim overleaf.

FORM II

[Rules 4, 5(4) and 6]

NOTICE OF ADMISSION, DEFENCE OR COUNTER CLAIM

In the Small Claims Court at ………………………………………………Case No. …………………...................

Between:

1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Plaintiff

Name in full ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Residential address

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Business and postal address

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Defendant Name in full

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Residential address

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Business and Postal address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The above named defendant

1. ADMITS the claimant’s claim

2. DISPUTES the claimant’s claim for the following reasons:……………………………………………………

*

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Have a counterclaim against the claimant for the sum of K ………………………………. for (State nature of Counterclaim)

Signature …………………………………………………

Date ………………………………………………………..

NB. Delete what is not applicable

*You may endorse further information on your claim overleaf.

FORM III

[Rule 5(4)]

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

In the Small Claims Court at ……………………………………………………Case No. ………………….

Between:

1. .…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Plaintiff

Name in full

................................................................................................................................................................................

Residential address

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Business and Postal address

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Defendant

Residential address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Business and Postal address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I certify that I personally did serve upon the defendant on the …………………… day of …………… 20 … the notice of claim issued out in this case.

………………………………………………………….

Plaintiff/Plaintiff’s Representative

FORM IV

[Rule 6]

NOTICE OF HEARING

In the Small Claims Court at …………………………………………………………………… Case No. ………………….

Between:

1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….(Plaintiff)

and

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (Defendant)

to both Parties

Take notice that this case will be heard on the …………………………………………………………… day of …………………………………………………………….. 20… at ………………….. Hours before Commissioner Mr/Mrs/Ms …………………………………………………… and that if you do not attend the time and place above-mentioned, such order will be made as the Court thinks just.

Dated the ……………………………………………………….. day of ……………………………………………… 20…

……………………………………………

Clerk of Court

FORM V

[Rules 7(5) and 11(3)]

APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE DEFAULT JUDGMENT

In the Small Claims Court at ………………………………………………………………………… Case No. …………….

Between:

1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (Plaintiff)

and

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...(Defendant)

To: The Clerk of Court

The Claimant

Take notice that I ………………………………………………………………… apply to the Court that the default judgement which was made against me for failure to file any defence/in my absence at the hearing be set aside on the following grounds*:

1. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Take further notice that my application will be heard on the …………………………………… day of ……………………………………. 20… at ……………………………………

Dated the ……………………………………………………………. day of …………………………………… 20…

N.B. Delete what is inappropriate

...........................................

Signed: Defendant

*If there is insufficient space upon which to write the grounds, the additional grounds may be written on a plain piece of paper and attached overleaf.

FORM VI

[Rule 7(5)]

APPLICATION TO RESTORE DISMISSED CLAIM

In the Small Claims Court at ………………………………………………………………… Case No. …………….

Between:

1. …………………………………………………………………………...............………………………….. (Plaintiff)

and

2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...(Defendant)

To: The Clerk of Court

The Defendant

Take Notice that I………………………………………………………………… apply to the Court that my claim which was which was dismissed due to my absence be restored on the following grounds*:

1. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

TAKE FURTHER notice that my application will be heard on the …………………………………… day of ……………………………………. 20… at ……………………………………

Dated the ……………………………………………………………. day of …………………………………… 20…

……………………………………

Signed: Claimant

*If there is insufficient space upon which to write the grounds, the additional grounds may be written on a plain piece of paper and attached overleaf.

FORM VII

[Rules 11]

FORM OF JUDGMENT OR DISMISSAL OF CLAIM

In the Small Claims Court at ……………………………………………………………… Case No. …………….

Between:

1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………......... (Plaintiff)

and

2. …………………………………………………………..........…………………………………………...(Defendant)

My decision, after considering what has been said, is as follows:

1. That the claim be dismissed for the following reasons*:

      (a) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

      (b) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………….

Commissioner

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT

The judgement of this Court once entered in the Registry may be enforced against you by the Court issuing a Writ of Execution authorising the Sheriff of Zambia or his officers to seize your goods an auction them.

*If there is insufficient space upon which to write the grounds, the additional grounds may be written on a plain piece of paper and attached overleaf.

FORM VIII

[Rule 12]

PARTICULARS OF THE JUDGMENT OR DISMISSAL OF CLAIM

In the Small Claims Court at ………………………………………………………… Case No. …………….

Between:

1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………............. (Plaintiff)

and

2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..........................(Defendant)

To: The Registrar of the High Court

I, the Clerk of Court at the above Station, give you particulars of the decision of the Court in this case given on the day of the ……………………………………………………………….. by ……………………….

…………………………………….

Name of Commissioner

as follows:

1. The claim was dismissed for the following reasons*:

      (a)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

      (b)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. The defendant was ordered to pay the sum of K ……………………………………………………………. by: ………………………………………………. day of ……………………………………………………….. 20………………………..

      (i) Instalments of K ………………………………………. each, the last of which is to be paid on the …………………………………..………..day of ………………………………………………………… 20…

      (ii) One lump sum to be paid by the ................... day of ........................... 20 ...

3. The Court ordered restitution of the property to be made by the day of ............... , 20 ..

4. The Court ordered specific performance of the contract, such performance to be done by the ........................ day of ................................................. 20 ..

Dated the .................... day of ....................... 20 ..

……………………………………………..

Clerk of Court

*If there is insufficient space upon which to write the grounds, the additional grounds may be written on a plain piece of paper and attached overleaf.

FORM IX

[Rule 14(2)]

WRIT OF EXECUTION

In the Small Claims Court at ……………………………………………………….....… Case No. ………………

Between:

1………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….(Plaintiff)

2………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………..(Defendant)

To: The Sheriff of Zambia

WHEREAS ……………………………………………………………… of …………………………………………… was on the ……………………………… day of …………………………… 20… ordered by this Court to pay the sum of K ...............to the Claimant by the ………………………………………………………………………. day of ……………………………………….………….. 20… and has not made such payment as order:

You are hereby ordered to seize and sell, without delay, the property of the said person to the extent of obtaining thereby the sum of K ……………………….. being the amount due from that person at this date under the said order to pay, together with the sum of K ………………… being the fee of execution of this warrant showing the sum received for each article by such sale, to this Court, to be dealt with according to law.

If, before or during such sale, the amount which is or remains due from the said person as aforesaid is paid to you, the sale shall not be proceeded with.

The following forms of property shall not be liable for seizure:

      (a)   Personal clothing, beds and bedding and household utensils for the use of the owner and the family;

      (b)   Implements of husbandry and tools of the trade of the owner;

      (c)   Foodstuffs required for the feeding of the owner and the dependants;

      (d)   Any property claimed by a third party or in which a third party has an interest.

Dated the …………………………………… day of ……………………………………………………….. 20…

……………………………………………

Clerk of Court

ENDORSEMENT OF EXECUTION OR NON EXECUTION

This writ was executed by me on the …………………………… day of …………………..20……… at (place) and a list of articles sold and amounts received thereby is attached.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dated the ……………………………………………….. day of ………………………… 20…

……………………………………….

Sheriff

FORM X

[Rule 15(3)]

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

In the Small Claims Court at ……………………………………………………………… Case No. ………….

Between:

1……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (Applicant)

and

2………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (Respondent)

Take Notice that I, ……………………………………………… being dissatisfied with the dismissal of my claim/judgment against me give on the ……………………………………………. day of ....................... 20 .. apply to the High Court for review on the following grounds*:

1……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dated the……………………………………………………………….. day of …………………………………20…

Signed ………………………………………………..

Applicant/Respondent

To: The Registrar of the High Court

Filed at ………………….. this …………………………………………………………………….. day of ................... 20 ..

………………………………………………

Registrar of the High Court

*If there is insufficient space upon which to write the grounds, the additional grounds may be written on a plain piece of paper and attached overleaf.

FORM XI

[Rule 15(4)]

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

In the Small Claims Court at …………………………………………………………. Case No. ……………

Between:

1………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…..... (Applicant)

and

2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (Respondent)

To: The Registrar of the High Court

Clerk of Court

Defendant/Claimant

Take Notice that I ………………………………………………. have withdrawn my application for review against the dismissal of my claim/judgment filed on the …………………………. day of ....................... 20 .......

Dated the ……………………………………………………… day of ……………………………………………20…

Signed……………………………………….

Applicant

NOTE: The applicant shall serve a copy of this notice on the respondent.

SECOND SCHEDULE

[Rule 16]

FEES

 

Fee Units 

1. On a claim 

222.22 

2. On a counterclaim 

222.22 

3. On an application to restore a claim 

111.11 

4. On an application to set aside a default judgment 

111.11 

5. On filing a notice of review 

278 

6. On filing a notice of withdrawal of application for review 

111.11 

7. On filing a writ of execution 

83.33 

8. On filing any order or process not otherwise provided for 

83.33

{/mprestriction}