loss of the cargo. Before I conclude this matter, TPW 1 relied on a police report
exhibit TP 2 dated 19th of October, 2010 for the assertion that the goods were
robbed. The document is a Police report showing that five suspects were
arrested and charged with robbery. The goods had not been recovered. Exhibit
TP4 which is a transit transport work order clearly intended the work of
transportation of the plaintiff’s goods to be subcontracted to the third party
Transtrac. The exhibit reads: "please receive the above-mentioned goods given
in good order and append your signature below to signify acceptance of all the
conditions laid down in the separate trucking agreement signed between our
two companies at the rate mentioned above". Transtrac is the third party in
this matter. The separate trucking agreement was not adduced in evidence.
In cases of this nature, where the plaintiff proves that it handed over
possession of the goods to the defendant, and that goods did not reach their
destination, the onus of proof shifts to the defendant to prove why the goods
did not reach their destination. This was the holding in the case of Hough land
vs. Low (Luxury Coaches) Ltd (1962) 2 ALL ER 159 where the managers of a
coach for an old peoples outing lost the plaintiff’s luggage. On appeal, it was
held at page 162:
WILLMER LJ. ... In my judgment, this appeal fails on the facts. In saying
that I do not think that it makes any difference whether the case is put in
detinue, or whether it is treated as an action on the case for negligence.
Whichever be the correct approach, it has been admitted in argument
that the plaintiff, by proving the delivery of the suitcase at Southampton
and its non-return on the arrival of the coach at Hoylake, made out a
prima facie case. That prima facie case stands unless and until it is
rebutted. The burden was on the defendants to adduce evidence in
rebuttal. They could discharge that burden by proving what in fact did
happen to the suit-case and by showing that what did happen happened
without any default on their part. ... Alternatively, the defendants could
discharge the burden on them by showing that, although they could not
put their finger on what actually did happen to the suit-case,
nevertheless, whatever did occur occurred notwithstanding all
reasonable care having been exercised by them throughout the whole of
the journey.”
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