Criminal law – Sexual offences – Rape of a child: elements (age, penetration, identity) – Child’s uncorroborated evidence admissible and may ground conviction where credibility is properly assessed (s.135(6) TEA R:E 2023) – Contradictions must be material to vitiate prosecution case – Court will not entertain new issues on appeal absent pleading or leave.

* Criminal procedure – Plea of guilty – Requirements for plea-taking and recording – plea unequivocal and admission of facts; appeal against conviction barred under s.381(1) CPA except as to sentence. * Sentencing – Discretion to consider mitigating factors (early plea, first offender, remorse) under Penal Code s.131(1) and sentencing guidelines; appellate interference where mitigation overlooked. * Appellate relief – Use of s.172(1)(c) CPA to deduct time already served from imposed sentence. * Concurrent sentences and compensation orders – left undisturbed where proper.

Land law – registered land – necessary parties – failure to join Registrar of Titles and principal owner in proceedings concerning registered title; agency – agent/court broker cannot be sued alone where principal’s proprietary rights are affected; procedural law – preliminary objections and curability of pleading defects under overriding objective.

* Civil procedure – change of issues mid‑trial – tribunal must record reasons and consult parties; unilateral alteration breaches audi alteram partem and vitiates proceedings. * Land dispute – procedural irregularity leading to quashing of judgment and remittal for rehearing. * Principles: Order XIV r.1 CPC, right to be heard, authorities on natural justice.

Appellate procedure – extension of time under s.11(1) AJA – striking out appeal extinguishes notice of appeal – technical delay excusable – compliance with Court of Appeal Rules (service) raised but not determinative.

* Land law – ownership disputes – requirement of proof of title or lawful succession before claiming ownership. * Civil procedure – locus standi – standing is jurisdictional and a party must show sufficient legal interest to sue. * Evidence – admission that land belonged to deceased owner and absence of transfer/administration documents undermines claim. * Adverse possession – not adjudicated on appeal where locus standi defect disposes the case.

* Civil procedure – Extension of time – Good cause; accounting for delay; diligence. * Rule 10 Court of Appeal Rules – extension requires showing good cause. * Rule 66(1) Court of Appeal Rules – review grounds: manifest error; denial of hearing; illegality. * Prisoner litigant – ignorance of law/time limits is not sufficient cause. * Procedure – respondent’s failure to file affidavit implies no factual dispute but legal challenge remains.

* Land law – ex parte judgment – requirement to apply to set aside ex parte judgment before appealing.* Civil procedure – competence of appeal – High Court revisional powers under s.42 and s.43 of the Land Disputes Courts Act.* Pleadings – description of land and boundaries (Order VII r.3 CPC) – procedural objections not determined where appeal is incompetent.

Civil procedure – Extension of time – Rule 10 – Applicant must account for every day of delay; delay must not be inordinate; illegality as ground for extension must be apparent on the face of the record; failure to account for delay and reliance on non-apparent illegality warrants dismissal.

* Civil Procedure – Stay of execution – Order XXI r.24 and Order XXXIX r.5(3) – conditions: substantial loss, no unreasonable delay, and security. * Security for stay – immovable property – commitment bond equivalent to decretal amount. * Maintenance of status quo pending determination of extension of time to appeal application.