1. Read the scenarios carefully.

2. Summarise the scenario

Scenario 1: The Construction Dispute

Sandra, a small business owner, entered into a contract with XYZ Construction Ltd. on
March 15, 2024, to renovate her restaurant. The contract specified that the work, which
included flooring, plumbing, and a redesigned kitchen, would be completed by December 1,
2024, for a total cost of K500,000. The agreement stated that time was of the essence since
Sandra planned to reopen the restaurant by mid-December to take advantage of the holiday
season.
By December 5, 2024, Sandra visited the site and discovered that only 40% of the work had
been completed. The floors had been removed, plumbing pipes lay exposed, and the kitchen
was unusable. Upon inquiry, the contractor, Mr. Phiri, blamed the delay on a shortage of
skilled workers and the late delivery of materials. However, Sandra later found out that XYZ
Construction had taken on multiple projects and diverted resources to a larger commercial
contract.

By January 2025, the work remained incomplete. Sandra was forced to keep her restaurant
closed, incurring losses of approximately K200,000 in lost revenue. She demanded a refund
or immediate completion of the work, but the contractor refused, arguing that "half the work
was done" and that delays were “unavoidable.”
Sandra now seeks legal action for breach of contract and damages due to financial losses.

Scenario 2: The Faulty Vehicle Sale

On October 5, 2024, Jacob purchased a 2018 Toyota Corolla from DriveSmart Motors for
K250,000. The salesperson, Mr. Banda, assured him that the car was in excellent condition,
had never been in an accident, and had undergone a full mechanical inspection. He also
provided a six-month warranty on major components like the engine and transmission.
Two weeks later, while driving on the highway, Jacob noticed the engine making unusual
knocking sounds and losing power. He took the car to a mechanic, who found that the engine
had been previously damaged and poorly repaired. Shocked, Jacob returned to DriveSmart
Motors and demanded a repair or refund under the warranty. However, the dealership refused,
claiming the warranty did not cover pre-existing conditions and that Jacob had bought the car
“as is”.
Frustrated, Jacob obtained a report from an independent vehicle inspector, confirming that the
car had been in a major accident and had hidden defects at the time of sale. He now wants to
take legal action for misrepresentation and breach of warranty.

Scenario 3: The Workplace Injury

Linda, a 32-year-old cashier at FreshMart Supermarket, had been working for the company
for five years. On November 10, 2024, while restocking shelves in Aisle 3, she slipped and
fell on a recently mopped floor. There were no warning signs indicating that the floor was
wet. As a result of the fall, she fractured her right wrist and suffered a sprained ankle.
Linda was taken to a clinic, where doctors advised her to take two months off work for
recovery. She notified her employer, but the store manager dismissed her concerns, stating
that she had been “careless” and was responsible for her own fall. The company also refused
to cover her medical expenses or provide compensation for lost income.
Upon further investigation, Linda discovered that two other employees had suffered similar
falls in the past year. The store had previously been advised to place caution signs after
cleaning but had failed to implement this safety measure. Linda now wants to pursue legal
action against FreshMart for employer negligence and unsafe working conditions.

Scenario 4: The Property Dispute

John, a 28-year-old teacher, inherited a two-hectare piece of land in Chongwe from his late
father, Mr. Zulu, who passed away in 2023. The land had been in the family for generations,
and John had planned to build a house there. However, when he visited the property in
January 2025, he found that his uncle, Mr. Tembo, had been living there for over 15 years and
now refused to leave.
Mr. Tembo claimed that John’s father had verbally promised him the land as a token of
appreciation for caring for him in his old age. However, no written will or legal document
supported this claim. John produced a legally registered title deed showing that the land
belonged to his father and had now passed to him.
Despite this, Mr. Tembo refused to vacate and insisted he had a right to the land through long-
term possession. John attempted mediation through the local chief, but his uncle refused to
acknowledge his ownership. With no resolution in sight, John now wants to pursue legal
action to reclaim his land and evict his uncle.

Scenario 5: The Defamation Case

Martha, an investigative journalist for The Daily Gazette, published an article on February 1,
2025, about a prominent businessman, Henry Mwansa, alleging that he had been involved in
fraudulent activities and money laundering. The article cited anonymous sources who
claimed that Henry had illegally funnelled millions of kwacha through offshore accounts.
Following the article’s release, Henry’s business suffered major financial losses, with several
investors pulling out of deals. Henry denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit
against Martha, arguing that the article contained false information and had severely damaged
his reputation and business interests.
Martha defended her article, stating that her sources were credible and that she had acted in
the public interest. However, she admitted that she had no concrete documentary evidence to
back some of the claims made in her report. Henry now seeks damages and a public
retraction of the article.

Scenario 6: The Arrest & Unlawful Detention

Joseph, a 23-year-old university student, was arrested on March 2, 2025, while shopping at a
local store. A store employee claimed that Joseph resembled a suspect seen on CCTV stealing
a mobile phone the previous week. Despite denying any involvement, Joseph was handcuffed
and taken to the police station without further questioning.
At the station, Joseph repeatedly asked for evidence or an explanation, but the police refused
to let him go. He was held in custody for four days without being charged. His family was
initially denied access, and his requests to call a lawyer were ignored.
On March 6, 2025, the police quietly released him after realizing that they had arrested the
wrong person. There was no official apology, and Joseph was left traumatized by the
experience. He now wants to sue the police for wrongful arrest, unlawful detention, and
violation of his rights.