THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA v SHIELD OF ZIMBABWE INSURANCE LTD 1991 (2) ZLR 261 (H)

1991 (2) ZLR p261

Flynote

Insurance — meaning of the word "riot" in policy — whether a term of legal art as recognised in English Law — terms of contract only to be accorded the status of a term of legal art where so recognised by the country in which it is contemplated by the parties that the loss will occur.

Insurance — interpretation, of insurance contracts — no special rules of interpretation applicable thereto — ordinary grammatical meaning to apply in the absence of an absurd result — application of the contra proferentem rule.

Insurance — onus — reverse onus clause in insurance contract — what an insurer is liable to prove to bring such a clause into operation in his favour in order to rely on an exception in the policy.