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Chombo ordered to settle US$100,000 legal fees
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The High Court has ordered Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Marian Chombo to pay lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa US$100,000 in legal fees accrued during her divorce proceedings with former Cabinet minister and ex-husband Ignatius.
High Court judge Justice Joel Mambara issued the ruling, which includes interest on the outstanding amount, after Chombo failed to settle the agreed legal fees despite receiving extensive legal services from Mtetwa's firm.
Chombo engaged Mtetwa in June 2011 to represent her in divorce proceedings that were conducted before the High Court. Mtetwa provided a range of legal services, including attending numerous pre-trial conferences and filing various interlocutory applications. These efforts resulted in positive outcomes for Chombo throughout the divorce proceedings.
Despite partial settlements and a consent order granted in August 2012, issues concerning outstanding legal fees remained unresolved. In September 2014, Chombo signed an acknowledgment of debt, agreeing to pay US$100,000 in two instalments—US$50,000 each, with the first due on September 31 and the remaining balance by mid-December. However, Chombo failed to fulfill this agreement.
Following the non-payment, Mtetwa's firm issued summons in January last year, seeking the settlement of the debt. Throughout the proceedings, Mtetwa outlined the extensive legal services rendered to Chombo, including handling complex litigation and ensuring her interests were protected, even in the absence of Chombo at times.
During cross-examination, Chombo admitted signing the acknowledgment of debt but claimed the agreed fee of US$100,000 was excessive, suggesting US$50,000 as a more reasonable sum. She also acknowledged that Mtetwa's firm had provided diligent representation and that she had benefited from their services.
However, Chombo's arguments regarding the fee's reasonableness were dismissed by Justice Mambara, who emphasized that the acknowledgment of debt was binding and pivotal in the case. The court disregarded Chombo's belated defenses, ordering her to pay the full amount with interest at the prescribed rate from the date of summons to the date of full payment, along with the costs of the suit.
This ruling reinforces the legal obligation to honor contractual agreements, especially when they involve professional services such as those provided by Mtetwa's firm.
High Court judge Justice Joel Mambara issued the ruling, which includes interest on the outstanding amount, after Chombo failed to settle the agreed legal fees despite receiving extensive legal services from Mtetwa's firm.
Chombo engaged Mtetwa in June 2011 to represent her in divorce proceedings that were conducted before the High Court. Mtetwa provided a range of legal services, including attending numerous pre-trial conferences and filing various interlocutory applications. These efforts resulted in positive outcomes for Chombo throughout the divorce proceedings.
Despite partial settlements and a consent order granted in August 2012, issues concerning outstanding legal fees remained unresolved. In September 2014, Chombo signed an acknowledgment of debt, agreeing to pay US$100,000 in two instalments—US$50,000 each, with the first due on September 31 and the remaining balance by mid-December. However, Chombo failed to fulfill this agreement.
Following the non-payment, Mtetwa's firm issued summons in January last year, seeking the settlement of the debt. Throughout the proceedings, Mtetwa outlined the extensive legal services rendered to Chombo, including handling complex litigation and ensuring her interests were protected, even in the absence of Chombo at times.
During cross-examination, Chombo admitted signing the acknowledgment of debt but claimed the agreed fee of US$100,000 was excessive, suggesting US$50,000 as a more reasonable sum. She also acknowledged that Mtetwa's firm had provided diligent representation and that she had benefited from their services.
However, Chombo's arguments regarding the fee's reasonableness were dismissed by Justice Mambara, who emphasized that the acknowledgment of debt was binding and pivotal in the case. The court disregarded Chombo's belated defenses, ordering her to pay the full amount with interest at the prescribed rate from the date of summons to the date of full payment, along with the costs of the suit.
This ruling reinforces the legal obligation to honor contractual agreements, especially when they involve professional services such as those provided by Mtetwa's firm.
Source - newsday
