Syed Agil Barakbah FJ:

This is an appeal against the decision of Mohd. Yusoff J in the High Court, Kuching, delivered on 7 June 1983 giving judgment for the respondents/plaintiffs for loss of money lent and awarding damages in the sum of RM136,898.12 made up of RM66,900 being principal sum lent plus interest at O.8% per mensem as from 30 September 1977, interest on RM66,900 at O.8% per mensem from 1 October 1977, and from date of judgment to date of settlement and costs.

The appellants are a firm of Advocates and Solicitors having their registered office in Kuching and the respondents are a finance corporation having their registered office in the same town.

The respondents' claim in the Court below was for damages for loss and expenses caused by the negligence and breach of contract of the appellants as the respondents' solicitors/advocates in failing to act in accordance with the assurance given by the appellants to the respondents in a letter dated 15 August 1966 (AB12).

Facts

It is common ground that during the latter part of 1966, Penghulu Francis Umpau (the Purchaser) wanted to build a dwelling house and decided to buy two lots of land Nos. 1244 and 1248 Block 10 Ku