In Brief
A widow and children of a motor accident victim claimed compensation from the insurer. The claims tribunal awarded compensation, which the insurer appealed to the High Court challenging only its liability (citing policy breach), not the quantum. The claimants filed a cross-objection, but the High Court dismissed it as not maintainable, holding cross-objections were only available when the insurer challenged the quantum. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that the right to file a cross-objection is a substantive appeal right, not merely procedural, and applies whenever any respondent wishes to challenge any part of an award. The Court ruled the cross-objection must be heard on merits regardless of whether the original appeal proceeds.
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