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Adong Susan and 2 others v Otucu Raymond (HCT-02-CV-CS-0089-2002) (HCT-02-CV-CS-0089-2002) [2006] UGHC 53 (1 June 2006)
- Citation
- [2006] UGHC 53
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Civil Suit / Judgment
- Case number
- HCT-02-CV-CS-0089-2002
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Civil Suit / Judgment
- Case number
- HCT-02-CV-CS-0089-2002
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court found that the plaintiffs, as lineal descendants of the deceased, are entitled to apply for letters of Administration to the estate of Oluma Jimmy. The defendant, being a total stranger with no legal relationship to the deceased, had no locus standi to lodge a caveat against the grant of letters of Administration. The Succession Act and relevant case law prioritize children and those with the greatest interest in the estate for administration rights. The caveat lodged by the defendant was therefore unlawful and was vacated. The plaintiffs were granted letters of Administration, and the defendant was ordered to pay general damages for unlawful interference and the costs of the suit.
Court disposition
judgment for the plaintiffs
Orders
- The caveat lodged by the defendant is hereby vacated.
- Letters of Administration to the estate of the late Oluma Jimmy are granted to the plaintiffs.
- The defendant shall pay to the plaintiffs UGX 2,000,000 in general damages.
- The defendant shall pay the costs of the suit.
02
Material facts
Parties
Adong Susan
Plaintiff Counsel: Mr. OdongoOngom Robert
Plaintiff Counsel: Mr. OdongoOtucu Raymond
Defendant Counsel: Ms. Twontoo & Co AdvocatesAmounts and remedies
- General Damages Awarded to Plaintiffs: UGX 2,000,000
03
Procedural history
Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the plaintiffs are entitled to apply for letters of Administration to the estate of the late Oluma Jimmy.
- 02
Whether the defendant was entitled to lodge a caveat forbidding the grant of letters of Administration.
- 03
What remedies are available to the plaintiffs.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The plaintiffs, as children of the deceased Oluma Jimmy, argued they are entitled to apply for letters of Administration to his estate. They contended the defendant is a stranger with no legal relationship to the deceased and thus has no locus to lodge a caveat. They relied on statutory provisions and case law establishing the priority of children in succession matters.
- Respondent
- The defendant did not file a defence or appear at the hearing. No arguments were presented on his behalf.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Sarah Ssebowa & 5 Ors v. Peter Ssebowa (1991) HCB 95
The first persons entitled to apply for letters of Administration to the estate of a deceased person are the widow and the children, in that order.
- 02
Nyendwoha Lucy v. Nyendwoha Robert and Anr HCCA 1068/83; Christine Male & Anr v. Sylvia Mary Namanda & Anr (1982) HCB 140
The person with the greatest interest in the estate is entitled to apply for letters of Administration.
- 03
Succession Act (Cap 162)
Sections 27, 202, and 203 of the Succession Act set out the classes of beneficiaries and persons entitled to apply for letters of Administration.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court found that the plaintiffs, as lineal descendants of the deceased, are entitled to apply for letters of Administration to the estate of Oluma Jimmy. The defendant, being a total stranger with no legal relationship to the deceased, had no locus standi to lodge a caveat against the grant of letters of Administration. The Succession Act and relevant case law prioritize children and those with the greatest interest in the estate for administration rights. The caveat lodged by the defendant was therefore unlawful and was vacated. The plaintiffs were granted letters of Administration, and the defendant was ordered to pay general damages for unlawful interference and the costs of the suit.
Obiter and limits
- General damages are at the discretion of the court and are intended to place the plaintiff in as good a position as if the wrong had not occurred.
- A person with no relationship to the deceased has no locus to interfere with the administration of the estate.
Court disposition
judgment for the plaintiffs
- The caveat lodged by the defendant is hereby vacated.
- Letters of Administration to the estate of the late Oluma Jimmy are granted to the plaintiffs.
- The defendant shall pay to the plaintiffs UGX 2,000,000 in general damages.
- The defendant shall pay the costs of the suit.
Source and reliance status
High Court of Uganda
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
High Court of Uganda
Judgment
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{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA HOLDEN AT GULU \par HCT-02-CV-CS-0089-2002 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \s15\qj \fi-360\li739\ri14\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\jclisttab\tx739\faauto\ls2\rin14\lin739\itap0\pararsid9118358 { \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 ADONG SUSAN \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}\pard \s15\ql \fi-360\li739\ri14\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\jclisttab\tx739\faauto\ls2\rin14\lin739\itap0\pararsid9118358 { \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 ONGOM GEORGE}{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::PLAINTIFF}{ \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}}\pard \s15\qj \fi-360\li739\ri14\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\jclisttab\tx739\faauto\ls2\rin14\lin739\itap0\pararsid9118358 { \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 ONGOM ROBERT \par }\pard \s15\qc
\li19\ri14\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin14\lin19\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 VERSES \par }\pard \s15\qj \li19\ri14\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin14\lin19\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 OTUCU RAYMOND}{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 :::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: DEFENDANT}{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \par BEFORE:- \par }\pard \s15\qc \li19\ri14\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin14\lin19\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 HON JUSTICE AUGUSTUS KANIA \par }{\b\ul\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 JUDGMENT}{\b\ul\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li19\ri14\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin14\lin19\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li19\ri14\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin14\lin19\itap0\pararsid8924666 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 This suit was brought by Adong Susan, Ongom George and Robert Ongom against the defendant seeking the removal of a caveat lodged by the defendant
}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 against the grant of letters of Administration to the estate of the late Oluma Jimmy to the plaintiffs who are children to the deceased. The suit also sought for an order that a grant of the letters of Administration to the Estate of the deceased issue to the plaintiffs. }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 \par \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 The brief facts of this case are that following the death of their father, the late Oluma Jimmy, his children applied for Letters of Administration to his estate vide Administration Cause No. LIR CO-CV-0086 of 2002. When the application wa s advertised, the defendant lodged a caveat prohibiting the grant of the letters of Administration on grounds that the application included his customary land. The applicant had no relationship what so ever with the deceased and as such the plaintiffs con sidered he had no legal claim to the estate of the deceased, hence this suit. }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 \par \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 The defendant did not file s defence though he was duly served with the summons in the suit through Ms. Twontoo & Co Advocates whom he had designated as the address at which he w as to be served. After fixing the suit for
hearing, Ms. Twontoo & Co. Advocates, the Advocates for the defendant were duly served with the hearing notice but did not appear at the hearing. The suit accordingly proceeded ex-parte. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8924666 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \sect }\sectd \marglsxn1910\margrsxn805\margtsxn1934\linex0\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj \pard\plain \s15\qj \li28\ri0\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin28\itap0\pararsid8924666 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 At the commencement of the hearing Mr. Odongo, learned counsel for the plaintiffs applied to strike out the name of the second plaintiff who was stated to be deceased and it was accordingly struck out leaving Adongo Susan and Ongom Robert as the only remaining p laintiffs. }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8924666 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 The following issues were framed for determination namely:- \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \s15\qj
\fi-360\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\jclisttab\tx720\faauto\ls3\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8924666 { \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Whether the plaintiffs are entitled to apply for letters of Administration to the estate of the late Oluma Jimmy. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}\pard \s15\qj \fi-360\li720\ri983\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\tx1176\faauto\ls3\rin983\lin720\itap0\pararsid8924666 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Whether the defendant was entitled to lodge a caveat }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 forbidding the grant of letters }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 of Administration}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}}\pard \s15\qj \fi-360\li720\ri4\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\jclisttab\tx720\faauto\ls3\rin4\lin720\itap0\pararsid8924666 { \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Remedies available to the plaintiff. }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 \par }\pard \s15\qj
\li0\ri4\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin4\lin0\itap0\pararsid8924666 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 PWI Adongo Susan testified that she is a daughter of the late Oluma Jimmy who died on the 27/02/98. Before he died her late father charged her, Ongom Robert, the late Ongom George and Nyalior Denis with looking after his estate. Bec ause Nyalior Denis was a child, the three of them applied for letters of Administration to the estate of their late father }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid8924666 on}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 6/5/2002.}{\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\charscalex88\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 The defendant who is a neighbour and in no way related to them lodged a caveat forbidding the grant of letters of Administration to them. The Caveat was tendered as an exhibit fo}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 r the plaintiffs and marked P.1.}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 It was also her evidence that they applied for letters of}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 Administration after}{ \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358
}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 they had obtained a letter of No. Objection from the C. A. O of Lira District. She exhibited the letter of No objection and it was m arked P.2. \par \par T}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 he evidence of PW2 Ongom Robert was identical to that of PWI Adongo Susan in every material respect. }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 \par \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Mr. Odongo submitted regarding the first issue that as the children of the deceased the plaintiffs are entitled to apply for letters of Administration to the estate of the deceased. He cited the case of }{\b\ul\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Sarah Ssebowa & 5 ors vs. Peter Ssebowa (1991)}{\ul\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 }{\b\ul\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 HCB 95}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 for the proposition that the first persons entitled to apply for the letters of Administration to the estate of a deceased person are the widow and the children in that order. }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 \par \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 The precedence as to who is entitled
to apply for letters of Administration is also decided by the proportion of the share of the de ceased's estate a beneficiary takes. This is laid down in Section 27 of the succession Act where ordinarily a customary heir takes 1% a wife 15% lineal descendants 75% and dependant relatives 9%. In interpreting this sharing of the estate it was held in } {\b\ul\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Nyendwoha Lucy vs. Nyendwoha Robert and Anr HCCA 1068/83 and Christine Male & Anr vs. Sylvia Mary Namanda & Anr (19820) HCB 140}{ \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 ,}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 that the person with the greatest interest in the estate is entitled to apply for letters of Administration, Section 202 & 203 of the Succession which cites persons entitled in priority to administer an estate of a deceased person are to the same effect. In the instant case the plaintiffs as lineal descendants entitled to 75% of the estate of the deceased a re entitled to administer the estate of the late Oluma Jimmy. The first issue is answered in the affirmative. }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 \par \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 With regard to the second issue both Adongo Susan and PW2 Ongom Robert testified that the defendant was
in no way related to the deceased. Taking into account the provisions of sections 27, 202 and 203 of the Succession Act which spell out the classes of beneficiaries to an intestate's estate and the persons entitled to apply for letters of Administration and basing himself on the decision in }{ \b\ul\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Sarah Subowa & 5 Ors }{\ul\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 vs. }{\b\ul\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Peter Ssebowa (Supra)}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 to the effect that no total stranger is entitled 0 apply for letters of administration to the estate of a deceased per son, I find and hold that the defendant not being in any way related to the deceased is not entitled to lodge a caveat forbidding the grant of letters of Administration to the plaintiffs. He indeed has no locus. The second issue must be answered in the ne gative. }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 \par \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Having found that as a stranger the defendant had no locus and right to lodge a caveat for bidding the grant of letters of Administration to the plaintiffs, Judgment is entered for the plaintiffs, the caveat lodged by the defendant is vacated and l etters
of Administration to the Estate of the late Oluma Jimmy are granted to the plaintiffs Adongo Susan and Ongom Robert. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8924666 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8924666 \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 The plaintiffs also prayed for general damages for the defendant's unlawful interference with the estate and bloc king the legitimate Administration of the estate. General damages are at the discretion of the Court and their purpose is to place the plaintiff in as good a position as he/she would have been had the wrong complained of not occurred. According to the evi d ence adduced by the plaintiffs they applied for the letters of Administration on 6/5/2002 and the defendant lodged a caveat on the 15/5/2002 preventing the proper management and administration of the estate until now causing losses and damage and deprivin g the plaintiffs of their right to administer the estate. In these circumstances I consider a sum of shs 2,000,000/= by way of general damages will meet the justice of the case. The plaintiffs will also take the costs of the suit. }{ \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9717628 \par Judgment is accordingly entered for the plaintiff on the following
terms:-}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9717628\charrsid9118358 \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s15 \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \s15\ql \fi-441\li1171\ri0\sb2140\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pncf1\pnstart1 {\pntxta .}}\faauto\ls1\rin0\lin1171\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 The caveat lodged by the defendant is hereby vacated. \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s15 \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}\pard \s15\ql \fi-460\li1161\ri27\sb4\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pncf1\pnstart1 {\pntxta .}}\faauto\ls1\rin27\lin1161\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Letters of Administration to the estate of the late Oluma Jimmy are granted to the plaintiffs. \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s15 \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}}\pard \s15\ql \fi-460\li1161\ri27\sb4\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pncf1\pnstart1 {\pntxta .}}\faauto\ls1\rin27\lin1161\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 The defendant shall pay to the
plaintiffs shs 2,000,000/= in general damages. \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s15 \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}}\pard \s15\ql \fi-460\li1161\ri27\sb4\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pncf1\pnstart1 {\pntxta .}}\faauto\ls1\rin27\lin1161\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 The defendant shall pay the costs of the suit. \par }\pard \s15\ql \li4943\ri1852\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1852\lin4943\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 \par \par \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri1852\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1852\lin0\itap0\pararsid9717628 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 Signed \par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-4929\li4929\ri1852\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1852\lin4929\itap0\pararsid9717628 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 HON JUSTICE . A. KANIA }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9717628
\par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358\charrsid9118358 1/6/2006 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118358 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118358 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9717628 \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par }}
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