Vanderbona v. Justin Perera – sllr 1985 volume 2 page 062

In the case between Vanderbona and Justin Perera, the court addressed the issue of determining the burden of proof concerning alleged arrears of rent, particularly examining the evidentiary standards when documentary receipts were inconsistently issued. It was held that after both parties have produced evidence, the question of evidentiary onus becomes secondary to the consideration of the totality of evidence, and the findings established payment of rent by the tenant. This reaffirmed the principle that the onus initially rests on the party alleging arrears, but that credibility and sufficiency of evidence become the focus once both sides have adduced their respective cases. Reliance was placed on established authority and the limitations of the best evidence rule, emphasizing that non-pr