enforcement of foreign judgments - piyush sharma …sharma.co.bw/documents/enf_37_botswana.pdf ·...

Enforcement of Foreign Judgments

Edited by Louis Garb and Julian D.M. Lew

Supplement 37 (May 2016)

Enforcement of Foreign Judgments helps alleviate the time and costs ofconsulting foreign attorneys or government agencies for information regarding thespecific procedures of individual nations and their policies towards enforcement offoreign judgments.

It addresses the most pertinent specifications, requirements, and legislation ofeach individual nation.

The following chapters are either new jurisdictions which have been added orexisting chapters which have been reviewed and updated:

• BotswanaPiyush Sharma Attorneys & Co.

• Canada (Ontario)WeirFoulds LLP, Barristers andSolicitors

• CyprusAndreas Neocleous & Co LLC

• EcuadorPaz Horowitz Abogados

• EstoniaLaw firm Sorainen

• Gibraltar

• KoreaYoon & Yang LLC

• LatviaSpilbridge, Attorneys-at-Law

• LithuaniaLaw firm Sorainen

• New ZealandHesketh Henry

• NorwayWikborg, Rein & Co.

• Palestinian AuthorityEquity Law Firm

• TurkeyKarako Law Offıce

9888003635

Table of Contents

VOLUME 1

Preface General Section – 5–6

List of Authors General Section – 21–38-48

Signatures and Ratifications General Section – 49–52

Questionnaireby Louis Garb Questionnaire – 1–8

Africa

Algeriaby Adnane Bouchaib Algeria – 1–12

Botswanaby Piyush Sharma Botswana – 1–16

Cameroonby David Etah Akoh Cameroon – 1–14

Egyptby Wagdi Maher Bishara Egypt – 1–12

Kenyaby Caroline Thuo Kenya – 1–14

Nigeriaby Ajumogobia & Okeke Nigeria – 1–16

South Africaby Warren Bank South Africa – 1–26

Tunisiaby Habib & Slim Malouche Tunisia – 1–14

Zambiaby Fatima Mandhu Zambia – 1–28

General Section – 9Foreign Judgments – Suppl. 37 (May 2016)

Asia

Azerbaijanby Remells Law Firm Azerbaijan – 1–16

Bruneiby Colin Y.C. Ong Brunei – 1–16

Hong Kongby Ella Cheong Hong Kong – 1–28

Indiaby Lalit Bhasin India – 1–14

Indonesiaby Winita E. Kusnandar Indonesia – 1–12

Israelby Louis Garb Israel – 1–16

Japanby Takahiro Yamauchi& Naoko Kamimura Japan – 1–16

Jordanby Samah Sultan & Abdurrahman Awad Jordan – 1–10

Koreaby Jay K. Lee Korea – 1–12

Lebanonby Mohamed Alem & Leila Y. Alem Lebanon – 1–18

Malaysiaby Ira Biswas Malaysia – 1–26

Myanmarby Min Thein & Kexian Ng Myanmar – 1–18

Pakistanby Farrukh Zia Shaikh Pakistan – 1–14

Palestinian Authorityby Lubna Katbeh & Tareq Touqan Palestinian Authority – 1–14

People’s Republic of Chinaby Jingzhou Tao PR China – 1–12

Philippinesby Eduardo de los Angeles Philippines – 1–18

Table of Contents

10 – General Section Foreign Judgments – Suppl. 37 (May 2016)

Singaporeby Harish Kumar, Goh Seow Hui& Jonathan Toh Singapore – 1–22

Taiwanby Nigel N.T. Li & Rebecca Hsiao Taiwan – 1–16

Thailandby Stephen Frost Thailand – 1–16

Vietnamby Dang The Duc Vietnam – 1–10

Australia and Oceania

Australiaby Michael Pryse Australia – 1–14

New Zealandby Margaret A. Helen Macfarlance,

Sarah Holderness, Gennise Luen,Michael O’Brien & Nina Thomson ofHesketh Henry New Zealand – 1–26

North America

The Bahamasby C.R. Matthew Paton The Bahamas – 1–18

British Virgin Islandsby Phillip R. Kite British Virgin Islands – 1–12

Canada (British Columbia)by Chuck Blanaru & Jennifer M. Moir

Canada(British Columbia) – 1–20

Canada (Ontario)by Hilary Book & Peter L. Biro Canada (Ontario) – 1–22

Canada (Quebec)by Antonietta Melchiorre & James Woods Canada (Quebec) – 1–16

United Statesby Allan T. Slagel & Daniel R. Saeedi United States – 1–28

Central America

Bermudaby Keith Robinson Bermuda – 1–18

Table of Contents


Cayman Islandsby Andrew Bolton Cayman Islands – 1–18

Guatemalaby Armando Mérida Guatemala – 1–12

Mexicoby Marcos Berkman Margolis Mexico – 1–12

Panamaby David J. Arosemena Panama – 1–12

South America

Argentinaby Alberto Molinario Argentina – 1–16

Brazilby Adriana Camargo Rodrigues Brazil – 1–12

Chileby Francisco Javier Illanes, Juan AntonioParodi & Constanza Lichtemberg Chile – 1–16

Colombiaby Edouardo Zuleta Colombia – 1–20

Ecuadorby Xavier Sisa Cepeda & Bruce

Horowitz Ecuador – 1–16

Uruguayby Federico Formento Uruguay – 1–14

Venezuelaby Angel Gabriel Viso Venezuela – 1–16

VOLUME 2

Europe

Austriaby Friedrich Schwank & Thomas Pichler Austria – 1–16

Belarusby Alexei Anischenko & Mikalai

Markounik Belarus – 1–14

Belgiumby Karel Mul Belgium – 1–14

Table of Contents


Republic of Bulgariaby Rossitsa Voutcheva, Peter Mihaylov &Dilyan Nachev Republic of Bulgaria – 1–16

Cyprusby Chrysanthos Christoforou Cyprus – 1–26

Czech Republicby Jirí Hrádek & Mgr Miloš Kocí Czech Republic – 1–24

Denmarkby Jens Rostock-Jensen &Jakob Dahl Mikkelsen Denmark – 1–18

England and Walesby Steven Philippsohn England and Wales – 1–30

Estoniaby Carri Ginter & Veikko Puolakainen Estonia – 1–26

European Unionby Stephan Wilske & Gerhard Wegen European Union – 1–20

Finlandby Peter Backström Finland – 1–16

Franceby Olivier G. Binder France – 1–14

Germanyby Stephan Wilske & Gerhard Wegen Germany – 1–16

Gibraltarby Lewis Baglietto Qc & Moshe Levy Gibraltar – 1–30

Greeceby Alkistis Christofilou Greece – 1–12

Guernseyby St. John A. Robilliard Guernsey – 1–12

Hungaryby Péter Nógrádi Hungary – 1–20

Irelandby Gearoid Carey &Julie Murphy O’Connor Ireland – 1–16

Isle of Manby Christopher Brooks Isle of Man – 1–24

Table of Contents


Italyby Tiziana Tampieri Italy – 1–24

Jerseyby Anthony Dessain, Edward Drummond& Michael Wilkins Jersey – 1–22

Latviaby Arita Linde Latvia – 1–16

Liechtensteinby Markus Wanger Liechtenstein – 1–18

Lithuaniaby Renata Beržanskiene Lithuania – 1–20

Luxembourgby François Moyse Luxembourg – 1–22

Monacoby Jean-Charles S. Gardetto Monaco – 1–16

The Netherlandsby Peter Bernard Hemmes The Netherlands – 1–16

Norwayby Kaare Andreas Shetelig & Ola Haugen Norway – 1–18

Polandby Michał Gruca Poland – 1–18

Portugalby Guilherme Santos Silva, FranciscoPatrício & Mariana Duarte Portugal – 1–16

Romaniaby Vitzman, Webster & partners Romania – 1–12

Russiaby Vladimir Melnikov Russia – 1–18

Scotlandby Douglas Blyth Scotland – 1–16

Serbiaby Borivoje Trgovcevic Serbia – 1–22

Slovak Republicby Jozef Mesároš & Eva Komrsková Slovak Republic – 1–20

Table of Contents


Spainby Isabel Escudero & Ángeles Subirá Spain – 1–14

Swedenby Mikael Berglund, Lars Berlin &

Cecilia Peterson Sweden – 1–12

Switzerlandby Nedim Peter Vogt & Matthew Reiter Switzerland – 1–28

Turkeyby Nedim Karako Turkey – 1–12

Ukraineby Andreas Neocleous & Co Ukraine – 1–14

Index Index –1–4

Table of Contents


Table of Contents


List of Authors

Africa

Algeria

Adnane BouchaibAvocat à la Cour, bouchaib Law firm20 rue Claude Debussy,Algiers, Algeria

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+213 21 74 80 43+213 21 74 80 [email protected]

Botswana

Piyush SharmaPiyush Sharma Attorneys & Co.LLB (UB); Post HR Law (Oxford)PO Box Ad 34 ADC, Gaborone,Botswana

Tel.:

E-mail:Website:

(+267) 72727272(+267) [email protected]

Cameroon

David Etah AkohEtah-Nan & Co (Attorneys)PO Box 4736 Douala,Cameroon

Tel.:

Fax:Mobile:E-mail:Website:

+237 33 42 56 09/33 42 91 65+237 33 42 32 89237 77 71 05 [email protected]

Egypt

Wagdi Maher BisharaNadoury & Nahas Law Firm7 Lazoughli St., Isis Building,Suite 35, Garden City,Cairo,Egypt

Tel.:Fax:Contact:E-mail:

(02) 795-9658(02) 795-0080Ashraf [email protected]


Kenya

Caroline ThuoHamilton Harrison andMathews Advocates,Commissioners for Oaths andNotaries PublicICEA Building, 4th Floor,Kenyatta AvenueP.O Box 30333-00100GPO Nairobi

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+254 020 3258000/2225981+254 020 [email protected]@hhm.co.kewww.hhm.co.ke

Nigeria

Ajumogobia & OkekeMain Office2nd FloorSterling Towers20 MarinaLagosNigeria

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:Website:

+234 1 2719368/2719369,4622687/4622688+234 1 2630410/[email protected]

Port HarcourtPlot F, 2AA d 2ABShalom HouseSanni Abacha RoadG.R.A. Phase IIIPort HarcourtRivers State

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:

234-84-234267/[email protected]

South Africa

Warren BankSandton AdvocatesChambers Group III3rd Floor, Maisels Chambers,4 Protea Place, Sandown, Sandton,South Africa

Tel.:Fax:Mobile:E-mail:

+27 11 535-1800+27 11 535-1865+27 82 [email protected]

Tunisia

Habib & Slim MaloucheMalouche Law FirmLegal ServicesImmeuble Galaxie 2000 – Tour DRue d’Arabie Saoudite1002 TunisTunisia

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

(216) 7179 13 64(216) 7179 05 [email protected]

List of Authors


Zambia

Fatima MandhuSchool of LawUniversity of ZambiaGreat East Road CampusLusakaZambia

Tel.:E-mail:

+260 955 [email protected]

Asia

Azerbaijan

Remells Law FirmContact Person:Rashid AliyevAzure Business CenterNobel Avenue 15Baku AZ 1025, Azerbaijan

Tel.:

E-mail:Website:

+99412.488.68.46+99450.386.32.34Rashid.aliyev@remells.comwww.remells.com

Brunei

Colin Y. C. OngDr Colin Ong Legal ServicesSuites 2-5, 2nd FloorGadong Properties CentreJalan Gadong BA1511

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:Website:

(673) 22420913(673) [email protected]

Hong Kong

Ella CheongElla Cheong Law Office5006 Hopewell Centre183 Queen’s Road EastHong Kong


+852 2810 7400+852 2810 [email protected]

India

Lalit BhasinBhasin & Co., AdvocatesSupreme Court of India10, Hailey Road, 10th FloorNew Delhi 110-001India

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+91 11 2332 2601+91 11 2332 6968+91 11 2332 9878+91 11 2331 5024+91 11 2332 [email protected],[email protected]

List of Authors


Indonesia

Winita E. KusnandarKusnandar & Co.PO Box 2057/JKT 1000145, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.Aetna Danamon Tower II, 24th FloorJakarta 12930Indonesia


(62-21) 5771435(62-21) [email protected]://www.kusnandar.com

Israel

Louis GarbLouis Garb & Co., Law Offices14 Zerach Barnet StreetJerusalem 95404and Tel AvivIsrael


+972 2 6528093+972 2 [email protected]

Japan

Takahiro Yamauchi & NaokoKamimuraNagashima Ohno & TsunematsuJP Tower, 2- 7- 2 MarunouchiChiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-7036


+81 3 6889 7000+81 3 6889 [email protected]/en/index.html

Jordan

Samah Sultan &Abdurrahman AwadAyla Legal Services Firm,Aqaba P.O. Box: 334,Postal Code: 77110

Tel.:Fax:Mobile:

E-mail:

Website:

+962 3 2060006+962 3 2060005+962 79 5902972,+962 79 [email protected][email protected]

Korea

Jay K. LeeYoon & Yang LLC19th Floor, ASEM Tower517 Yeongdong-daeroGangnam-gu, SeoulKorea

Tel.:Fax:

+82 2 6003 7590+82 2 6003 7806

List of Authors


Lebanon

Mohamed Alem & Leila Y. AlemAlem & AssociatesAlem & Associates 126 Foch Street,Beirut Central DistrictBeirut 2012 6609,Lebanon

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+961 (1) 99 97 17+961 (1) 99 96 [email protected]@[email protected]

Malaysia

Ira BiswasChooi & CompanyLevel 23 Menara Dion27 Jalan Sultan Ismail50250 Kuala Lumpur

Tel.:DID:Fax:E-mail:Website:

+603 2055 3888+603 2055 3901+603 2055 [email protected]

John MathewHeng Yee KeatChristopher & Lee OngLevel 22, Axiata TowerNo. 9 Jalan Stesen Sentral 5Kuala Lumpur Sentral50470 Kuala Lumpur


+603 2273 1919+603 2273 [email protected],[email protected]

Myanmar

Min Thein & Kexian NgRajah & Tann NK Legal MyanmarCompany LimitedRoom 007, Inya Lake HotelNo. 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda RoadMayangone TownshipYangonMyanmar

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:Website:

+95 9 73040763+95 1 657902+95 1 957903+95 1 [email protected]@rajahtann.comhttp://mm.rajahtannasia.com

Pakistan

Farrukh Zia ShaikhBarrister at Law & AdvocateSupreme Court of PakistanZia G. ShaikhBarristers-at-Law & Advocates102, First FloorProgressive SquareShahrah-e-FaisalKarachi 75400Pakistan

Tel.:

Mobiles:

E-mail:Website:

+ 92 (21) 3585 1779 /3437 1489 / 3455 2902+ 92 333 235 4244 / 300823 [email protected]

List of Authors


Palestinian Authority

Lubna Katbeh & Tareq TouqanEquity Law FirmRamallah – Balou,Nijmeh 3 Building,second floor

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+972 2 2420055+972 2 [email protected];[email protected]

People’s Republic of China

Jingzhou Tao28/F, South Tower, Beijing KerryCenter, 1 Guanghua Road,Chaoyang District, BeijingThe People’s Republic of China

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+8610 5829 1303+8610 5829 [email protected]

Philippines

Eduardo de los AngelesRomulo Mabanta BuenaventuraSayoc & de los Angeles21st Floor, Philamlife Tower8767 Paseo de Roxas,1226 Makati CityPhilippines

Tel.:

Fax:Website:

[email protected]

Singapore

Harish Kumar, Goh Seow Hui &Jonathan TohRajah & Tann Singapore LLP9 Battery Road #25-01Straits Trading BuildingSingapore 049910

Tel.:

Fax:

E-mail:

Website:

+65 6232 0360 (HarishKumar)+65 6232 0598 (JonathanToh)+65 6428 2117 (HarishKumar)+65 6428 2155 (JonathanToh)[email protected]@rajahtann.comwww.rajahtann.com

Taiwan

Nigel N.T. Li & Rebecca HsiaoLee & Li, Attorneys-at-Law7th Floor, 201 Tun Hua North RoadTaipei, Taiwan 105Republic of China

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

[email protected],[email protected]

List of Authors


Thailand

Stephen FrostBangkok International Associates17th Floor. ITF Tower140/36-38 Silom RoadBangkok 10500Thailand


+66 2 231 6201/6455+66 2 231 [email protected]

Vietnam

Dang The DucManaging Partner, & Steve JacobIndochine CounselHo Chi MinhCity and Hanoi,Vietnam

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+848 3823 9640+848 3823 [email protected]

Australia and Oceania

Australia

Michael PrysePartner, Herbert Smith FreehillsMelbourne101 Collins Street,MelbourneVictoria 3000Australia

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+61 3 9288 1234+61 3 9288 [email protected]

New Zealand

Margaret A. Helen Macfarlane,Sarah Holderness,Gennise Luen, Michael O’Brien &Nina Thomson of Hesketh HenryLevel 14, PwC Tower188 Quay StreetAuckland 1010 NZ


64-9-375-870064-9-3094494lawyers@heskethhenry.co.nzwww.heskethhenry.co.nz

North America

The Bahamas

C.R. Matthew PatonLennoxPaton, Chambers3 Bayside Executive ParkWest Bay Street & Blake RoadNassau, The Bahamas


+1 242 502 5000+1 242 328 [email protected]

List of Authors


British Virgin Islands

Phillip R. KiteHarney Westwood & RiegelsCraigmuir ChambersPO Box 71Road Town, TortolaBritish Virgin Islands

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+1 284 494 2233+1 284 494 [email protected]

Canada (British Columbia)

Chuck Blanaru & Jennifer M. MoirHeath Law LLP, Barristers &Solicitors200 – 1808 Bowen RoadNanaimo, British ColumbiaV9S 5W4

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

(250) 753-2202(250) [email protected]@nanaimolaw.comwww.nanaimolaw.com

Canada (Ontario)

Hilary BookPartner, WeirFoulds LLP, Barristersand SolicitorsSuite 4100, 66 Wellington Street West,Toronto, OntarioCanada M5K1B7

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+1 416 365 1110+1 416 365 [email protected]

Peter L. BiroPresident and CEO, Newcon Optik105 Sparks Ave., Toronto, ONM2H 2S5 Canada

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

[email protected]

Canada (Quebec)

Antonietta Melchiorre & James WoodsLapointe Rosenstein MarchandMelançon, L.L.P.1250 René-Lévesque Blvd.West, Suite1400Montreal, QuebecCanada H3B 5E9

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+1 514 925-6355+1 514 [email protected]

United States

Allan T. Slagel & Daniel R. SaeediTaft Stettinius & Hollister LLPSuite 2800111 E. WackerChicago, Illinois 60601USA

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+1 312 527 4000+1 312 527 [email protected],[email protected]

List of Authors


Central America

Bermuda

Keith RobinsonApplebyCanon’s Court22 Victoria StreetPO Box HM 1179Hamilton HM EXBermuda

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+1 441 295 2244+1 441 292 [email protected]

Cayman Islands

Andrew BoltonAppleby (Cayman) LimitedClifton House75 Fort StreetP.O. Box 190 KY1-1104Grand CaymanCayman Islands

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+1 345 949 4900+1 345 949 [email protected]

Guatemala

Armando MéridaMérida & Asociados20 calle 12-51 ‘A’ zona 10Guatemala

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+502 2366 7427+502 2366 7423

[email protected]

Mexico

Marcos Berkman MargolisBBL Legal Abogados, S.C.San Francisco Núm. 2, Pisos 5 y 6Colonia del ValleC.P. 03100, México, D.F.


+52 55 5687 0411+52 55 5669 [email protected]

Panama

David J. ArosemenaCastro & BerguidoEdificio Vallarino6th Floor, Panama CityPanama


+507 264 0506+507 264 [email protected]://www.castroberguido.com

List of Authors


South America

Argentina

Alberto MolinarioMarval, O’Farrell & Mairal,Av. Leandro N. Alem 928C1001AAR Buenos AiresArgentina

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:Website:

+54 11 4310-0100Ext. 2601+54 11 [email protected]

Brazil

Adriana Camargo RodriguesAdriana Camargo Rodrigues AdvocaciaPraça Ramos de Azevedo, 209-6101037-010 Sao Paulo, SPBrazil


+55 11 3218-7171+55 11 [email protected]

Chile

Francisco Javier Illanes, Juan AntonioParodi & Constanza LichtembergCariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos yCía. Ltda.2711 Andrés Bello Ave.19th FloorSantiago, Chile

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+56 (2) 360 40 00+56 (2) 360 40 [email protected]@[email protected]

Colombia

Eduardo ZuletaGómez-Pinzón ZuletaAbogados S.A.Calle 67 No. 7-35, Of. 1204Bogotá, D.C. Colombia


+571 3192900. Ext. 256+571 [email protected]

Ecuador

Xavier Sisa Cepeda & Bruce HorowitzPaz Horowitz Abogados,Site Center, Torre 1, Piso 3,Calle del Establo y Calle E, CumbayáQuito, Ecuador

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

(593-2) 398–2900(593-2) 398–[email protected]@pazhorowitz.comwww.pazhorowitz.com

List of Authors


Uruguay

Federico FormentoRincón 487, 4th Floor.Montevideo, 11.000,Uruguay


+598 29157468+598 [email protected]

Venezuela

Angel Gabriel VisoViso, Rodriguez, Cottin, Medina,Ramírez & AsociadosEdificio Multicentro Los Palos Grandes,PH, Avenida Andrés Bello,cruce con Primera Transversal,Los Palos Grandes,Caracas,1060-A,Venezuela

Tel.:

Fax:

E-mail:

+58 212 283 24 54,283 84 97+58 212 283 84 28,283 11 [email protected]

Europe

Austria

Friedrich Schwank & Thomas PichlerStock Exchange Building34 Wipplingerstrasse, Vienna,A-1010 Austria


+43 1 5335704+43 1 [email protected]

Belarus

Alexei Anischenko &Mikalai MarkounikMasherova av. 76A 4th floorMinsk 220035Belarus


+ 375 17 203 84 96+ 375 17 203 77 [email protected]

Belgium

Karel MulMul Law OfficesJan Van Rijswijcklaan194A b. 6 at B-2020 AntwerpBelgium


+32.3.237 34 26+32.3.237.07 [email protected]

List of Authors


Republic of Bulgaria

Rossitsa Voutcheva, Peter Mihaylov& Dilyan NachevBWSP Ilieva, Voutcheva &Co Law Firm28 ‘Hristo Botev’ blvd.,4th floor, SOFIA 1000,Bulgaria

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:Website:

+359 2 981 49 53+359 2 980 61 55+359 2 895 21 79+359 2 980 59 [email protected]

Cyprus

Chrysanthos ChristoforouAndreas Neocleous & Co. LLCNeocleous House195 Archbishop Makarios III AvenuePO Box 50613LimassolCY- 3608Cyprus

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+357 25 110000+357 25 [email protected]

Czech Republic

JUDr. Jirí Hrádek &Mgr Miloš KocíSchönherr s.r.o.nám. Republiky 1079/1a,Prague 1,Postal code 110 00,Czech Republic


+420 225 996 500+420 225 996 [email protected]

Denmark

Jens Rostock-Jensen & JakobDahl MikkelsenKromann ReumertSundkrogsgade 52100 Copenhagen EastDenmark

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+45 38 77 44 50+45 38 77 46 12+45 70 12 12 11+45 70 12 13 [email protected]@kromannreumert.comwww.kromannreumert.com

England and Wales

Steven PhilippsohnPCB Litigation LLP4th Floor90 Chancery LaneLondon WC2A 1EUUnited Kingdom


+44 (0)20 7831 2691+44 (0)20 7404 [email protected]

List of Authors


Estonia

Carri Ginter & VeikkoPuolakainenLaw firm SORAINENPärnu mnt. 1510141 Tallinn, Estonia


+372 640 0900+372 640 [email protected]

European Union

Dr Stephan Wilske,Maître en Droit, LL.M.,Lautenschlagerstraβe 21D-70173 StuttgartGermanyand

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+49 711 8997-152+49 711 [email protected]

Prof. Dr Gerhard Wegen, LL.M.Lautenschlagerstraβe 21D-70173 StuttgartGermany

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+49 711 8997-156+49 711 [email protected]

Finland

Peter BackströmBackström & Co Ltd. AttorneysAttorneys at LawKasarmikatu 44FI-00130 HelsinkiFinland


+358-09-6689 940+358-09-6689 [email protected]

France

Olivier G. BinderAvocat à la CourPartner,GRANRUT Law firm91, rue du Faubourg SaintHonoré - 75008 Paris


+33.1.53.43.15.15+33.1.53.43.15.00o.binder@granrut.comwww.granrut.com

Germany

Dr Stephan Wilske,Maître en Droit, LL.M.,Lautenschlagerstraβe 21D-70173 StuttgartGermanyand

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+49 711 8997-152+49 711 [email protected]

List of Authors


Prof. Dr Gerhard Wegen, LL.M.Lautenschlagerstraβe 21D-70173 StuttgartGermany

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+49 7118997-156+49 [email protected]

Gibraltar

Lewis Baglietto Qc & Moshe LevyHassans,57/63 Line wall RoadPO Box 199Gibraltar


+350 20079000+350 [email protected]

Greece

Alkistis ChristofilouI.K. Rokas & Partners Law Firm25 Boukourestiou Street106 71 AthensGreece


+30 210 361 6816+30 210 361 [email protected]

Guernsey

St. John A. RobilliardMourant Ozannes1, Le Marchant StreetSt. Peter PortGuernseyGY1 4HP

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+44 (0) 1481 723466+44 (0) 1481 [email protected]

Hungary

Péter NógrádiAttorney-at-Law, Nógrádi Law FirmH-1037 Budapest,Montevideostr 3./A,Hungary

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+36 1 240-6354+36 1 [email protected]

Ireland

Gearoid Carey &Julie Murphy O’Connor70 Sir John Rogerson’s QuayDublin-2Ireland

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+353 1 232 2000+353 1 232 [email protected]@matheson.comwww.matheson.com

List of Authors


Isle of Man

Christopher BrooksAdvocate, M&P LegalNew Court Chambers23-25 Bucks RoadDouglas


+44(0)1624 695800+44(0)1624 [email protected]

Isle of ManIM99 2EN

E-mail:Website:

[email protected]

Italy

Tiziana TampieriStudio Tampieri e AssociatiVia Guido Reni, 440125 BolognaItaly

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+39 51 237655+39 51 264425tiziana.tampieri@gmail.comwww.studiolegaletampierieassociati.com

Jersey

Anthony Dessain & Edward DrummondBedell CristinPO Box 7526 New StreetSt HelierJerseyChannel IslandsJE4 8PP

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+ 44 (0) 1543 814814+ 44 (0) 1534 [email protected]@bedellgroup.comwww.bedellgroup.com

Michael Wilkins, M.B.E.Viscount of the Royal CourtMorier HouseSt. HelierJerseyChannel IslandsJE1 1DD.

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:Website:

+ 44 (0) 1543 441450/441401+ 44 (0) 1534 [email protected]

Latvia

Arita LindeSpilbridge, Attorneys-at-LawValnu Str. 3-24, Riga, LV-1050,Latvia

Tel.:

Fax:E-mail:Website:

+371 67507722;+371 29414541+371 [email protected]://www.spilbridge.com

List of Authors


Liechtenstein

Dr iur. Markus WangerRechtsanwalt – FCIArbAeulestrasse 45P.O. Box 1608FL-9490 VaduzLiechtenstein


+423 237 52 52+423 237 52 [email protected]

Lithuania

Renata BeržanskieneLaw firm SORAINENJogailos g. 4LT-01116 VilniusLithuania

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

+370 5 2685 040+370 5 2685 [email protected]

Luxembourg

François MoyseAvocat à la CourPartnerDSM Di Stefano Moyse55-57, rue de MerlB.P. 2648 L-1026L-2146 Luxembourg


+352 262 562-1+352 262 [email protected]

Monaco

Jean-Charles S. GardettoAvocat-Defenseur a la Cour19 Boulevard des MoulinsMC 98000 MonacoPrincipaute deMonaco

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

[email protected]

The Netherlands

Peter Bernard HemmesGlenn C. Haulussy LL.M.Westblaak 5,3012 KC Rotterdam

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

[email protected]

List of Authors


Norway

Kaare Andreas Shetelig &Ola HaugenWikborg, Rein & Co.Kronprinsesse Märthas pl. 1N-0160 OsloNorway

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+47 22 82 75 00+47 22 82 75 [email protected]@wr.no

Poland

Michał GrucaSchönherr Stangl Lutz Sp.kul. Próz na 9PL-00-107 WarszawaPoland


+48 22 223 09 16+48 22 223 09 [email protected]

Portugal

Guilherme Santos Silva, FranciscoPatrício & Mariana DuarteAbreu & Associados, Sociedade deAdvogados, RLAv. das Forças Armadas, 125,12o

1600-079 LisboaPortugal

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+ 351 21 729 18 00+351 21 723 18 [email protected]

Romania

Vitzman, Webster & Partners2 Univii Blud, bl. 8A, et 5-7ap. 24, 25, sector 4,Bucharest RO-76104Romania


+40 1 335 4803+40 1 337 [email protected]

Russia

Vladimir MelnikovHerbert Smith Freehills CIS LLP10, Ulitsa Nikolskaya109012 MoscowRussian Federation


+7 (495) 363 65 00+7 (495) 363 65 [email protected]

List of Authors


Scotland

Douglas Blyth, PartnerMaclay Murray & Spens LLP1 George Square, GlasgowScotlandUnited Kingdom

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+44 330 222 1664+44 141 248 [email protected]

Serbia

Borivoje TrgovcevicAttorney-at-LawLaw Office of B. TrgovcevicKneginje Zorke 9a/1311000 BelgradeSerbia

Tel.:Fax:Mobile:E-mail:Website:

+381 11 2430644+381 11 2430644+381 63 [email protected]

Slovak Republic

Jozef Mesároš & Eva KomrskováJurisinvest, advokátska kancelária, v.o.s.Pluhová 5831 03 Bratislava 3Slovak Republic

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+421 2 44455326+421 2 [email protected]

Spain

Isabel Escudero & Ángeles SubiráBROSA, Abogados y Economistas,S.LPAvenida Diagonal No. 59808021 Barcelona, Spain

Tel.:Fax:

E-mail:

+34 93 2404151+34 93 2022907+34 93 [email protected]

Guturbay No. 628001 MadridSpain

Gran Via 4248011 BilbaoSpain

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

+34 91 5934244+34 91 [email protected]

+34 94 4355380+34 94 [email protected]

List of Authors


Sweden

Mikael BerglundEnforcement Director,Lars Berlin and Cecilia PetersonAttorneys-at-LawBox 284,SE–746 26 BalstaSweden

Tel.:Fax:E-mail:

Website:

[email protected],[email protected]

Switzerland

Nedim Peter Vogt & MatthewReiter Bär & Karrer AGBrandschenkestrasse 908027 ZurichSwitzerland

Tel.:Fax:Website:

+41 58 261 50 00+41 58 261 50 01www.baerkarrer.ch

Turkey

Nedim KarakoKARAKO LAW OFFICEOrtaklar Caddesi,Mevlut Pehlivan SokakMultinet Plaza No.12/2Sisli – Istanbul – Turkey


+90 212 347 7150+90 212 347 [email protected]

Ukraine

Andreas Neocleous & Co, Kiev office24/7, Instytutska Street, Suite 12Kiev 01021Ukraine

Tel.:/Fax:E-mail:Website:

+38 044 [email protected]

List of Authors


List of Authors

40 – 48 – General Section Foreign Judgments – Suppl. 37 (May 2016)

Bo

tsw

ana

This chapter is up-to-date as of March 2016

Botswana – 1Foreign Judgments – Suppl. 37 (May 2016)

Africa

2 – Botswana Foreign Judgments – Suppl. 37 (May 2016)

Botswana

Prepared by Piyush SHARMAPiyush Sharma Attorneys & Co.

LLB (UB); Post HR Law (Oxford)

Address: PO Box Ad 34 ADC, Gaborone, BotswanaTel.: (+267) 72727272 (+267) 75555555E-mail: [email protected]: www.sharma.co.bw

1. UNIFORMITY OF LAW AND REGULATIONS

Botswana is not divided into states and is therefore governed by one centralgovernment. It is to be noted at this point that Botswana’s common law is acombination of the Roman Dutch common law and the English Common law.South Africa happens to also apply Roman Dutch law and therefore in theBotswana courts South African cases are highly persuasive and widely applied.Wherever reference is made herein to South African Law or to a South AfricanPrecedent, it is because the law of Botswana is silent on the point and the SouthAfrican law or precedent would be highly persuasive.

2. JUDGMENTS

2.1. Definition

The committee of nations and international commerce require that foreignjudgments be recognized and enforced in each other’s country as far as possible.In Botswana as in other countries this is usually achieved by a statute whichunder certain conditions recognizes as judgments decisions of foreign courts.The Court also takes into consideration the following factors for theenforcement of a foreign judgment: whether the parties are all peregrines;whether the parties are domiciled in the country or residents of the country –Gyimah v. The Attorney-General In re Ex Parte Application of Vivian Gyimah.1

1. 2010 1 BLR 646.


In the Gyimah case, the court made reference to the case of Pretorius v.Sweiger (ii) 1979-1980 B.L.R. 129 where the following statement was made:

‘If both plaintiff and defendant are peregrines and there is no ground ofjurisdiction ratione rei sitae, rei gestae or contractus - none has beenaverred - the Court will not entertain the action and would not even if thedefendant were to submit to the jurisdiction. The time of the Court shouldnot be taken up with disputes, having nothing to do with Botswana,between persons neither domiciled nor resident here.

2.2. Categories

(a) Money judgments – South African courts will recognize judgments that arenot contrary to the country’s public policy. If the Defendant a) was residentin the country over which the foreign court exercised jurisdiction or; b)submitted to the jurisdiction of the foreign court by conduct or agreement,then the South African courts will recognize and enforce the judgment.2

The following requirements were specifically referred to in the leading caseon the subject, Jones v. Krok 1995 (1) SA 677 (A):

(1) the foreign court must have had international competence asdetermined in terms of South African law;

(2) the judgment must be final and must not have become superannuated;(3) the enforcement of the judgment must not be contrary to South

African public policy (which includes the rules of natural justice);(b) Specific performance – There is no authority regarding this area in

Botswana. Such judgment would be enforceable in South Africa to theextent that it is capable of implementation in South Africa.3

(c) Injunctions – no case authority available in Botswana or South Africa on theenforcement of foreign court injunctions.

(d) Arbitration awards – The Convention on the Recognition and Enforcementof Foreign Arbitral Awards was adopted by a United Nations diplomaticconference on 10 June 1958 and entered into force on 7 June 1959. TheConvention requires courts of contracting states to give effect to privateagreements to arbitrate and to recognize and enforce arbitration awardsmade in other contracting states. Botswana ratified the convention on 20December 1971. In the case of Good v. The Attorney-General4 the courtstated that international treaties to which Botswana was a signatory did nothave the force of law until incorporated in the domestic law. Section 24(1)of the Interpretation Act (Cap 01:04) provided that such internationalconventions and treaties as far as they had not been incorporated intodomestic law may be used as an aid in the construction of the Constitution

2. South Africa – prepared by Advocate Warren B. Bank, Advocate of the High Court of South Africa,member of the Johannesburg Bar and student of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, London andis included in the present volume.

3. Ibid.4. 2005 (1) BLR 462 (HC).

2–2 / Africa


and of statutes. Where it was possible to do so without doing violence to thelanguage used, an interpretation consonant with Botswana’s internationalobligations subscribed to in conventions with other states should prevail.

(e) Personal status (divorce, matrimonial, inheritance, adoption, insolvency) –The common law of Botswana on recognition of foreign divorce decrees isa mixture of the Roman Dutch common law and English common law. Theprinciple of law for the recognition of foreign decrees is that only decreesgranted by the courts of the domicile of the parties at the time of theirmarriage should be recognized, and that a married woman takes on thedomicile of her husband on her marriage.

(f) An award for multiple/punitive damages would be enforceable. The courtsof Botswana are however noticeably more reserved than courts of otherjurisdiction with regards to the quantum.

(g) A judgment which is in itself a recognition of a previous foreign judgment.(h) Foreign interim order are enforceable for:

(i) relief pendente lite;(ii) maintenance and custody. The High Court of Botswana is the upper

guardian of every single minor within the Republic of Botswana. Thechildren would therefore have to be present in Botswana.

(i) Judgments against the local State or any of its organs.(j) Judgments which are not enforceable would be as according to section 11

of the Judgments (International Enforcements) Act where it appears to thePresident that the treatment in respect of recognition and enforcementaccorded by the courts of a certain country to judgments given in thesuperior courts of Botswana is substantially less favourable than thataccorded by the courts of Botswana to judgments of the superior courts ofthat country, the President may by statutory instrument order that exceptin so far as the President may otherwise direct, no proceedings shall beentertained in any court of Botswana for the recovery of any sum allegedto be payable under a judgment given in a court of that country.

– foreign fiscal judgments (income tax and customs duties) are enforceableas well.

All above-mentioned judgments are enforceable to the extent that they fallwithin the provisions of the Judgments (International Enforcements) Act.

2.3. Reciprocity

Reciprocity of enforcement on the part of the foreign courts is an essential forthe enforcement by local courts as shown by section 11 of the Judgments(International Enforcements) Act mentioned above.

In the case of T Schouten’s Imports (PTY) Ltd v. Wintercom Botswana (PTY)Ltd,5 the court stated that proof of a claim based on a foreign judgment did notdepend on reciprocal enforcement of judgments and that by virtue of the

5. 1984 BLR 111 (HC).

Botswana / 2–2


provisions of the Evidence (Commonwealth and Foreign Acts of State andJudgments) Act (Cap. 10:03) (1973 Rev.), judgments of courts of justice in allforeign states could be proved in courts of justice in Botswana or before anyperson having by law authority to hear, receive and examine evidence and thatthey could be proved by the production of authenticated copies of the judgmentpurporting to be sealed with the seal of the foreign court. Once such a judgmentwas proved it would be an evidence, and in the case of a money judgment itwould be a good evidence of the existence of a debt at the time it was given. Itis important to note that this case refers specifically to the foreign judgmentbeing used as evidence of the existence of a debt and not the actual enforcementof a foreign judgment.

In South Africa, a successful reciprocity is not an essential factor but may betaken into consideration by the court.6

3. CURRENCY REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS

(a) Section 21 of the Bank of Botswana Act states as follows: ‘The frameworkfor determining the external value of the Pula shall be determined by thePresident on the recommendation of the Minister after consultation withthe Bank.’ There is really no restriction as to transfer of funds in foreigncurrency. The value of the judgment would have to be converted to thelocal currency in order to ensure that the judgment amount has beenaccurately satisfied.

(b) There is no restriction, and therefore this question is non applicable.(c) The value of the judgment may have to be converted to the local currency

for ease of reference; however there is no statutory provision that makessuch conversion mandatory.

4. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

Section 12 (1) of the authentication of documents Act states that a documentsigned in any Commonwealth country shall be sufficiently authenticated ifauthenticated by the certificate of a notary public, under his signature and sealof office, the mayor or provost of any town under his signature and seal of office,the permanent head of a Government Department, the Registrar or AssistantRegistrar of a court of justice having unlimited jurisdiction, the High Sheriff ofa county or any person designated for the purposes of the Convention as anauthority competent to issue a certificate or ‘apostille’. Notwithstanding anyother provisions contained herein, a document signed in any other country shallbe sufficiently authenticated if authenticated by a suitable certificate under thesignature and seal or stamp of office of-(a) a member of the Diplomatic Branchof the Botswana Foreign Service attached to a Botswana Embassy or HighCommission in such country; or (b) a person shown by the certificate of:

6. South Africa – prepared by Advocate Warren B. Bank supra.

3–4 / Africa


(i) a member of the Diplomatic Branch of the Botswana Foreign Serviceattached to a Botswana Embassy or High Commission in such country;

(ii) a person holding an office in such country equivalent to that ofSecretary of State or Under Secretary of State;

(iii) a Diplomatic or Consular Officer of such country serving in Botswana,Lesotho, Swaziland or the Republic of South Africa; or

(iv) a British Consular Officer attached to a British Embassy or HighCommission in such country, where such country has no member of theDiplomatic Branch of the Botswana Foreign Service accredited theretoon a residential basis, to be duly authorized to authenticate suchdocument by the law of such country.(a) The laws recognize a company’s ability to act and therefore no

authorization need be proved.(b) Basic allegations in the founding affidavit reflecting the fact that the

judgment was passed and now needs to be enforced as well as thegeneral facts of the matter such as the identification and addressdetails of the parties should suffice.

(c) Faxed supporting documents or notarized copies suffice were theyhave been sufficiently authenticated according to the provisions ofthe Authentication of Documents Act.

5. CONVENTIONS

– Civil Procedure – Botswana is not a signatory– National Law v. Law of Domicile – Botswana is not a signatory– Recognition of Companies – Botswana is not a signatory– Maintenance of Children – Applicable Law – Botswana is not a signatory– Maintenance of Children – Enforcement – Botswana is not a signatory– Service Abroad – Botswana is a signatory– Choice of Court – Botswana is not a signatory– Enforcement of Judgments – Botswana is not a signatory– Divorce – Recognition – Botswana is not a signatory– Administration of Estates – Botswana is not a signatory– Maintenance – Enforcement – Botswana is not a signatory– Maintenance – Applicable Law – Botswana is not a signatory– Matrimonial Property – Botswana is not a signatory– Civil Aspects of Abduction of Children – Botswana is not a signatory

6. AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS

Section 6 of the Botswana Authentication of Documents Act states as follows: Inany criminal or civil proceedings a document:

(a) purporting to bear the signature of any person holding office under the State;and

Botswana / 5–6


(b) bearing a seal or stamp which purports to be a seal or stamp of thedepartment, office or institution to which such person is attached, shall on itsmere production, without proof of such signature, seal or stamp, bepresumed to have been signed by such person, unless it is proved not to havebeen signed by him.

Section 10 of the said Act states that section 6 shall apply in respect of adocument emanating outside Botswana, which purports to bear the signature ofany person holding office under the State in any place outside Botswana as theyapply in respect of a document emanating in Botswana which purports to bearthe signature of any person holding such office therein.

7. TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENTS

(a) The English language is the language used by the court which does not needany translation for the court. However, a person who is not conversant withthe English language, be it a party or a witness in the matter, may requesttranslation. Order 65 states that any person of full age may be admitted andenrolled by the court as a sworn translator in any language upon satisfyingthe court as to his competency. Order 66 of the Rules of the High Courtstates that: Where the evidence of any proceedings is given in any languagewith which the court or a party or his representative is not sufficientlyconversant, such evidence shall be interpreted by a competent interpreter,sworn to interpret faithfully and to the best of his ability in the languagesconcerned.

(b) The Rules of the High Court merely require that the translator be a sworntranslator as according to Order 65 of the Rules. The said Order requiresthat: a sworn translator must have his proficiency in the language which heintends to translate duly certified in writing, after examination held not morethan six months before the date of his application by a competent sworntranslator of not less than five years standing and if there is no sworntranslator of sufficient standing within its jurisdiction the judge may appointas examiner any person whom he considers to be duly qualified to hold suchexamination. After admission and enrolment, the translator shall, beforecommencing to exercise the functions of his office, take an oath or make anaffirmation which shall be subscribed by him in the form provided in therules.

8. REOPENING OR REVIEW OF JUDGMENTS

(a) Section 7 of the Judgments (International Enforcement) states that on anapplication duly made by any party against whom a registered judgmentmay be enforced, the registration of the judgment shall be set aside if theregistering court is satisfied:

(i) that the judgment is not a judgment and was registered in contraventionof the Act;

7–8 / Africa


(ii) that the courts of the country of the original court had no jurisdictionin the case;

(iii) that the judgment debtor, being the defendant in proceedings in theoriginal court, did not (notwithstanding that process may have beenduly served on him in accordance with the law of the country of theoriginal court) receive notice of those proceedings in sufficient timeto enable him to defend the proceedings and did not appear;

(iv) that judgment was obtained by fraud;(v) that the enforcement of the judgment would be contrary to public

policy in the country of the registering court; or(vi) that the rights under the judgment are not vested in the person

applying for registration.(b) Yes. According to section 7 of the Act, the registration of a foreign judgment

may be set aside on grounds that the judgment was obtained by fraud.

9. PENDING PROCEDURE

(a) A foreign judgment will not be enforced unless it is final and conclusive inits effect.

(b) It is a common law principle that the noting of an appeal automaticallysuspends the execution or implementation of a decision – Botswana PowerCorporation Workers’ Union v. Botswana Power Corporation (No 2) 1998BLR 276 (IC).

10. DEFENCES

Defences are available to the defendant:

– the foreign court had no international competence to decide the case, if thejurisdiction is in this way challenged, the onus is on the plaintiff to prove thejurisdiction;

– that the foreign judgment was not final;– that the foreign judgment is contrary to the public policy of the local country;– where the judgment is contrary to a local statute;– where the judgment was obtained by fraud, forgery or perjury, including

suppression of material documents.7

11. JURISDICTION

(a) If the issue of jurisdiction is not raised then it will be assumed the foreigncourt was properly seized with the matter. If the issue is raised the court willconsider the facts before it and reach a determination.

7. Supra.

Botswana / 9–11


(b) Jurisdiction is determined according to the local court’s law. Judgments(International Enforcements) Act is the statute mainly governing theenforcement of foreign judgments in Botswana.

(c) (i) Consent to the foreign jurisdiction or – Section 7(2) (a) of the Act statesthat in the case of a judgment given in an action in personam theforeign shall be deemed to have had jurisdiction where the judgmentdebtor, being a defendant in the original court, submitted to thejurisdiction of that court by voluntarily appearing in the proceedingsotherwise than for the purpose of protecting, or obtaining the releaseof, property seized, or threatened with seizure, in the proceedings or ofcontesting the jurisdiction of that court; or the judgment debtor was aplaintiff in, or counterclaimed in, the proceedings in the original court;or if the judgment debtor, being a defendant in the original court, hadbefore the commencement of the proceedings agreed, in respect of thesubject matter of the proceedings, to submit to the jurisdiction of thatcourt or of the courts of the country of that court;

(ii) Section 7(2) (a) and (b) of the above-mentioned Act states that if thejudgment debtor, being a defendant in the original court, was at thetime when the proceedings were instituted resident in, or being a bodycorporate had its principal place of business in, the country of thatcourt; or if the judgment debtor, being a defendant in the original court,had an office or place of business in the country of that court and theproceedings in that court were in respect of a transaction effectedthrough or at that office or place then the foreign court will be deemedto have had jurisdiction.

(d) (i) Where jurisdiction was contested: The jurisdiction issue will have to beraised from the onset as a preliminary defence.

(ii) Where jurisdiction was not contested: Section 7 of the Act asmentioned above provides that a defendant who has defended theproceedings in the foreign court may not raise the defence ofjurisdiction later.

(e) (i) No. A default judgment has the same consequences as any otherjudgment.

(ii) Yes. failure to enter appearance to defend, failure to submit subsequentpleadings, or failure to appear at any hearing would be regarded as aground to grant a default judgment. Order 30 rule 1(1) of the Rules ofthe High Court state that where the writ of summons is endorsed for adebt or liquidated demand only and the defendant fails, or all thedefendants fail, if more than one, to enter appearance thereto, theRegistrar may, on application by the plaintiff, enter final judgmentagainst that defendant (including judgment declaring immovableproperty secured by a mortgage bond specially executable) for any sumnot exceeding the sum endorsed on the writ, together with interest atthe rate specified, if any, and if no rate is specified at the rate of 10%per annum to the date of payment, and costs and proceed with theaction against the other defendants, if any.

11–11 / Africa


(f) If the foreign court accepted a clause conferring exclusive jurisdiction on theforeign court, the local court can decide to review the judgment on thatground. Section 7 of the Act would apply in this instance in that if the localcourt were to decide for example that the enforcement of such clause orjudgment would be contrary to public policy then it could set aside theregistration of the said judgment and it would not be enforceable inBotswana.

(g) Yes. The respondent must be a citizen/resident, own assets or carry onbusiness in the local country for an application for enforcement to besubmitted – Gyimah v. The Attorney-General mentioned above.8

12. CONTRACTUAL WAIVER

(a) A prior contractual waiver of service or notice would not be recognized bythe local courts as this would be contrary to the public policy of Botswanaand such judgment would therefore not be enforced.

(b) No. The local court would not enforce a foreign judgment although it wasgranted after a contractual waiver of procedural requirements usuallyimposed by the local court.

13. SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

There is no specific requirement that the service procedure be identical to thatof the Botswana courts.

14. CESSION

(a) The South African courts will recognize a cession of the judgment on proofof the existence of the cession, which need not be in writing.9

(b) No,10 such cession cannot confer any advantages in the proceedings beforethe local court.

15. INTERIM RELIEF

(a) An application for a temporary interdict may be made and shall be grantedonce the following requirements have been met by the applicant. It must,first, be shown that the applicant has a clear legal right to the issue of theinterdict, or at least a right ‘prima facie established though open to some

8. 2010 1 BLR 646.9. South Africa – prepared by Advocate Warren B. Bank supra.

10. Ibid.

Botswana / 12–15


doubt’, second, that there is a well grounded apprehension of irreparableharm to the applicant if the relief is not granted and he ultimately succeedsin establishing his right, and finally, that the balance of convenience favoursthe granting of the relief sought.

(b) Yes. If interim relief is allowed, the local court would require that the foreignapplicant provide security usually in the form of money, the amount ofwhich would be determined by the circumstances of each case.11

16. INTEREST

(i) In terms of the original judgment, interest will be that awarded by thecourt of the designated country until date of registration of thejudgment.12

(ii) Interest runs from the date of registration to date of payment in termsof the prescribed rate or the rate fixed by the court of the foreigncountry, whichever is the lower.13

17. TIME OF ENFORCEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT ACTION

(a) The estimated time period from the date of filing of the application until thedate of the enforcement of the foreign judgment:

(i) If unopposed – where a period of fourteen days has passed afterservice of the application on the Respondent(s) and there is noopposition, the applicant may set down a date to appear before thecourt and such date shall be allocated based on the court schedule.The passage of twenty-one days is required where the Respondent(s)are outside of a 100km radius of the Court.

(ii) If opposed – The time of enforcement will be much longer due to thedocuments of opposition to be filed and the arguments to be filed andheard before the court. The party opposing will have to file theopposing documents within a period of fourteen days if they arewithin a 100km radius of the court and twenty-one days if they areoutside 100km radius. The passage of time before the enforcement ofthe judgment shall be determined by the court schedule and theparticular period of time cannot be ascertained. The time beforeenforcement shall depend on each case in its particularity.

(b) If the judgment is enforced by the local court, it is enforceable as follows:(i) attachment of property – movable – The Deputy Sheriff as an officer

of the Court has the mandate to attach, physically remove the

11. Ibid.12. Ibid.13. Ibid.

16–17 / Africa


property and have it sold at auction. This shall however be on theinstructions of the Plaintiff/Creditor, based on a writ of attachmentand execution issued by the court.

(ii) immovable – The Deputy Sheriff as an officer of the court shall attachand have the property sold as according to the writ of attachmentissued by the court.civil imprisonment – Order 53 of the High Court Rules deals withcivil imprisonment. The Deputy Sheriff having made a return of nullabona or not sufficient goods on a writ of execution, the judgmentcreditor may cause to be issued a summons commanding thejudgment debtor to pay the amount of the judgment, and, unless hedoes so to show cause at a time and place stated why an order forpersonal attachment should not be decreed against him.(i) bankruptcy/liquidation – the procedures of liquidation as

according to the provisions of the companies Act of Botswanawould have to be followed.

(ii) restraint on leaving the country – the restrained person’spassport is usually confiscated and kept until such a time that therestraint is lifted.

(c) The attachment of property and sale of same for the payment of the debt orcivil imprisonment where the debt cannot be paid.

(d) In the event of an appeal from a decision granting or refusing to grantenforcement:

(i) There is an automatic right of appeal.(ii) The usual time period for such an appeal from the High Court to the

Court of Appeal is six weeks.(iii) Yes.

18. EXPENSES, LEGAL FEES AND SECURITY FOR COSTS

(a) The High Court requires a payment of fees or postal stamps to be placed onthe documents to be filed, the stamps being the equivalent amount in cost.

(b) Fees may be charged on either attorney and own client scale, which theattorney sets and agrees with his client or party and party scale which isprovided for by the rules of the court or client and attorney scale which isdouble the party-party scale.

(c) Yes. A lawyer is permitted, should he so wish, to enter into a feecontingency agreement.

(d) The entire portion of the applicant’s fees is recoverable in the event of theapplicant’s success.

(e) The applicant would have to give security for costs (apart from anapplication for interim relief dealt with under 15(b).14

14. Ibid.

Botswana / 18–18


19. BANKRUPTCY/LIQUIDATION

(a) Yes.15

(b) The foreign trustee would have power to deal with local assets provided s/heis recognized by the local courts.16

20. LAWYERS (WHO CAN APPEAR?)

Once one has been admitted as an attorney in Botswana, one may appear incourts in Botswana except for the customary court and the small claims court.

21. INTERNATIONAL TREATIES

22. CROSS-EXAMINATION OF AFFIDAVIT’S DEPONENT

(a) If a supporting affidavit is required, it is left to the court’s discretion torequest cross-examination of the deponent. The court may request viva voceevidence for clarification or may refer the matter to trial where there aredisputes of fact.

(b) In the event that the Defendant wanted to cross examine the Deponent in anAffidavit, he would be required to give security for the travelling expensesof the deponent. The Court would order costs to be covered by theDefendant.

23. REQUIRED AFFIDAVIT

An application is usually initiated with a ‘founding affidavit’. The form of theaffidavit is as according to the Rules of the High Court, Order 13.

24. NEW ACTION INSTEAD OF ENFORCEMENT

(a) Yes. A new action may be instituted on the original cause of action insteadof making application for enforcement based on the judgment. Thejurisdiction of the local court to entertain the matter will however have to beproven and confirmed.

(b) The period of prescription for oral agreements is three years while it is sixyears for claims based on written agreements.

15. Ibid.16. Ibid.

19–24 / Africa


25. PRESCRIPTION

There is no specific period specified from granting of the judgment in theforeign country must action be initiated in the local country.

26. STATES/CANTONS

Botswana’s law is uniform all across the country as the country is not dividedinto separate states or jurisdictions.

Botswana / 25–26


26–26 / Africa
