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legal fees from the estate of a late Harare businessman.
Hungwe and Partners did legal work for the estate of the late Mr Patrick Matimura since 2005. However, the firm had problems getting payment prompting it to seek the High Court’s intervention.
Justice November Mtshiya granted the relief sought.
“It is ordered that the estate of the late Patrick Matimu-ra, DR375/02 shall pay applicant US$94 067,10 taxed fees together with interest thereon calculated from the date of service of the court application to date of payment at the rate of 5 percent per annum, as well as costs of the suit,” ruled Justice Mtshiya.
Beneficiaries of the US$171 000 estate, three widows and 16 children, will now share less than half of the estate – six Chitungwiza houses (valued at US$138 000) and 110 cattle (US$33 000) in the Mazowe Wilderness.
Hungwe and Partners represented the estate between February 2005 and February 2009. A senior partner at the firm, Mr Muchivete Hungwe, is the estate executor. The court heard that the law firm assisted in the recovery of the estate’s six houses from third parties.
Two of the widows, Ms Veronica Tapedzadare and Ms Nelia Udi, opposed the application on the basis that the figure was too high and they never attended the taxation session. They also said the lawyers had not completing their job. However, the third widow, Ms Clara Magara, said the lawyers should get their payment. – CR.
Online Reporter