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Citation
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Judgment date
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| September 2025 |
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Court upheld a 43-year sentence for murder, finding it within guidelines and not manifestly excessive given aggravating circumstances.
Criminal law – sentencing – murder – appellate review of sentence – whether 43-year sentence for murder was manifestly harsh and excessive – sentencing guidelines for murder – discretion of trial court – aggravating and mitigating factors – lack of remorse.
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3 September 2025 |
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The Court of Appeal set aside an illegal 40-year sentence for murder, imposing 30 years less time served on remand.
Criminal law – sentencing – murder – consideration of time spent on remand – guidelines for sentencing in cases of mob justice – application of mitigating and aggravating factors – appellate court’s power to review illegal sentences.
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3 September 2025 |
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An appeal was struck out for failure to obtain the mandatory leave before appealing a dismissal of a review application.
Civil procedure – right of appeal – appealability of orders – requirement for leave to appeal when review is refused – compliance with procedural steps and time limits – incapacity of non-existent party – appeals and procedural technicalities.
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3 September 2025 |
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The appellate court upheld a 25-year sentence for murder, finding it was neither harsh nor excessive given established guidelines.
Criminal law – Sentencing – Murder – Appellate review of sentence – Principles for appellate interference – Whether 25-year sentence for murder is manifestly harsh or excessive – Sentencing consistency with precedents and guidelines.
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3 September 2025 |
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Court of Appeal declined to grant mandatory and temporary injunctions, finding no irreparable harm or balance of convenience favoring applicants.
Civil procedure – application for injunctions pending appeal – requirements for mandatory and temporary injunctions – whether High Court's refusal of injunction justified – discretionary powers of appellate court in interlocutory relief – effect of registration and possession in interlocutory applications.
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3 September 2025 |
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A sentence imposed outside a plea bargain agreement and without deducting remand time is unlawful and must be corrected.
Criminal procedure – sentencing – plea bargain agreement – trial court departing from plea bargain – legality of sentence – deduction of remand period – appellate power to correct illegal sentence.
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3 September 2025 |
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A sentence for aggravated defilement upheld where the trial judge’s discretion was properly exercised and the sentence was not excessive.
Criminal law – aggravated defilement – sentencing discretion – appellate interference – sentence within prescribed range – sentencing guidelines – principle of non-interference with trial court discretion unless sentence is manifestly excessive or illegal.
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3 September 2025 |
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Appeal against sentence for aggravated defilement dismissed; trial judge’s sentencing discretion found properly exercised.
Criminal law – Sentencing – Aggravated defilement – appellate review of sentence – discretion of sentencing judge – manifestly excessive test – consistency with sentencing guidelines and precedents.
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3 September 2025 |
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Failure to consider mitigating factors in sentencing did not render a 19-year sentence for aggravated defilement harsh or excessive.
Criminal law – aggravated defilement – sentencing – mitigating and aggravating factors – discretion of sentencing judge – appellate intervention where sentence manifestly excessive or miscarriage of justice occurs.
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3 September 2025 |
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Appellate court declined to reduce a murder sentence where the trial judge had properly balanced aggravating and mitigating factors.
Criminal law – sentencing – murder – appellate review of sentence – principles for interference with trial court’s sentencing discretion – aggravating and mitigating factors – sentence not manifestly excessive.
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2 September 2025 |
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Failure to deduct time spent on remand from a sentence renders it illegal and warrants resentencing by an appellate court.
Criminal law – Sentencing – Aggravated defilement – Consideration of time spent on remand – Article 23(8) of the Constitution – Illegality of sentence where remand period not deducted – Appellate powers to resentence.
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2 September 2025 |
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Sentences for murder and aggravated robbery upheld where omission to consider first offender status caused no miscarriage of justice.
Criminal law – Sentencing – Consideration of mitigating and aggravating factors – Whether omission to consider first offender status warrants interference – Sentences for murder and aggravated robbery – Exercise of sentencing discretion – Appellate review of sentence.
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2 September 2025 |
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A 26-year sentence for aggravated defilement was upheld as appropriate, consistent and not manifestly excessive given the case facts.
Criminal law – sentencing – aggravated defilement – appellate review of sentence – discretion and consistency in sentencing – principles for interference on appeal – sentencing of first offenders – consideration of aggravating and mitigating factors – sentencing guidelines for aggravated defilement.
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2 September 2025 |
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A murder sentence was reduced after the trial court failed to consider the appellant’s first offender status and other mitigation.
Criminal law – Sentencing – Murder – Whether sentence manifestly harsh or excessive – Failure to consider mitigating factors – First offender status – Appellate interference with sentence.
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2 September 2025 |
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Appellate court upheld a 27-year sentence for aggravated defilement, finding the sentence consistent, proportionate, and not manifestly excessive.
Criminal law – aggravated defilement – sentencing – discretion of trial judge – mitigating and aggravating factors – relevance of remorsefulness – appellate interference – sentencing guidelines – consistency and proportionality in sentencing.
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2 September 2025 |
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Adverse possession extinguishes competing registered leasehold and entitles the possessor to registration despite prior title claims.
Land law – registration of title – bona fide purchaser for value without notice – adverse possession – effect of Limitation Act on title recovery – application of nemo dat quod non habet in Torrens system – role of estoppel – proof and pleading of fraud.
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1 September 2025 |
| August 2025 |
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A stay of execution to prevent exhumation for DNA testing was denied as the applicant failed to show likelihood of appeal success or irreparable harm.
Civil procedure – stay of execution – requirements for grant – estate administration – DNA testing for paternity – exhumation – locus standi – irreparable harm – balance of convenience – judicial estoppel.
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29 August 2025 |
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Fixed-term contractual employees are not entitled to terminal benefits or permanent employment status absent clear contractual or statutory basis.
Labour Law – fixed-term contracts – continuous employment – permanent employment status – entitlement to terminal benefits and pension – interpretation of contractual terms – freedom of contract – unlawful termination – discrimination in employment.
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29 August 2025 |
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A High Court judge became functus officio after dismissing an appeal, rendering subsequent judgments and orders null without reinstatement.
Civil Procedure – Functus Officio – Dismissal of Appeal – Reinstatement – Jurisdiction – Inherent Powers of Court – Requirements for Reopening Dismissed Appeals – Finality of Judgment – Due process in appellate proceedings.
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29 August 2025 |
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Constitutional Court lacked jurisdiction to interpret clear constitutional rights regarding re-arrest of suspects; complaint should be before the High Court.
Jurisdiction – Constitutional Court – Original jurisdiction under Article 137 – Constitutional interpretation versus enforcement of rights – Re-arrest of suspects on court premises after bail or acquittal – Appropriate forum for enforcement of fundamental rights – High Court’s jurisdiction under Article 50.
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27 August 2025 |
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An appeal was struck out for incompetence after the Notice of Appeal was filed out of time without extension.
Civil procedure – Appeal – Notice of appeal – Requirement to file notice of appeal within prescribed period – Defective notice – Appeal struck out for incompetence – Preliminary objection upheld – Costs awarded.
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27 August 2025 |
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An appeal was struck out for failure to comply with procedural requirements regarding the form and content of the memorandum of appeal.
Civil procedure – appeal – procedural requirements – memorandum of appeal – Rule 86(1) – grounds must be concise, clear, without argument or narrative – failure to comply is fatal – striking out incompetent appeal.
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26 August 2025 |
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The Court certified key questions on tax appeal procedure and jurisdiction as being of great public importance for Supreme Court review.
Tax law – appellate procedure – criteria for grant of certificate of public importance – jurisdiction of courts on appeals from Tax Appeals Tribunal – criteria for distinguishing first and second appeals under Tax Appeals Tribunal Act and Value Added Tax Act – right of appeal under Civil Procedure Act – tax litigation and matters of public interest.
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26 August 2025 |
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A clinical officer was found negligent for performing a circumcision beyond his expertise, causing injury, and was liable for damages.
Medical negligence – standard of care – clinical officer liability – competence to perform surgery – quantum of damages – punitive damages – professional discipline recommendations.
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26 August 2025 |
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The Court of Appeal upheld the adequacy of general damages awarded for unlawful dismissal, confirming proper application of legal principles.
Labour law – Unlawful dismissal – General damages – Principles for assessment of general damages – Relevance of claimant’s mitigation of loss and employability – Discretion of court in quantum of damages.
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26 August 2025 |
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Failure to serve required documents on respondents rendered the appeal out of time and incompetent, leading to its dismissal.
Civil procedure – appeals – procedural requirements – service of Notice of Appeal and request for proceedings – failure to serve – effect on competency of appeal – computation of time for filing appeal – mandatory procedural compliance – failure renders appeal incompetent.
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26 August 2025 |
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A retrial was ordered where the trial court violated the appellant's right to a fair hearing by closing the defence prematurely.
Civil procedure – fair hearing – right to complete defence and cross-examination – procedural irregularity in trial – retrial ordered where judgment delivered without completion of party's case – violation of Articles 28(1) and 44(c) of the Constitution.
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26 August 2025 |
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Where dismissal is based on a conviction subsequently quashed, failure to await appeal renders the dismissal unlawful.
Employment law – Public service – Unlawful dismissal – Malicious prosecution – Reasonable and probable cause – Procedure for dismissal after criminal conviction – Requirement for disciplinary authorities to await outcome of criminal appeals.
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26 August 2025 |
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An appellant’s land claim failed for lack of evidence of Ugandan citizenship, a prerequisite for customary ownership under the Constitution.
Land law – Customary ownership – Burden of proof – Pleadings – Citizenship and land tenure under the Ugandan Constitution – Role of appellate courts in second appeals – Adverse possession – Limitation of actions.
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26 August 2025 |
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No appeal lies from a court's refusal to entertain a matter subject to arbitration under section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.
Arbitration – intervention by courts – appealability – section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act – whether appeal lies against decision declining to hear matter subject to arbitration – effect of arbitration agreement on appellate rights.
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22 August 2025 |
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Court clarified standards for criminal liability in procurement corruption, setting aside some convictions and affirming others based on evidence.
Criminal law – corruption – abuse of office – public procurement – due diligence – standard for criminal liability – conspiracy to defraud – financial loss to government – evidence of loss – theft – uttering false documents – jurisdiction of Inspectorate of Government – procedural validity of indictment – appeals against conviction and acquittal.
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22 August 2025 |
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A suit for recovery of clan land barred by limitation was wrongly entertained; High Court orders set aside on appeal.
Limitation of actions – recovery of land – section 5 of the Limitation Act – effect of time-barred suits – requirement of pleading exemption from limitation – land succession and alleged fraud – appellate review – setting aside judgments given in suits barred by limitation.
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22 August 2025 |
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Appellant fundamentally breached a two‑phase loan by non‑payment and diverting tranche funds; appeal dismissed.
Contract law – fundamental breach – failure to pay instalments and diversion of tranche funds; Loan variation – conditions precedent to further disbursement; Mortgage law – validity of subsequent mortgage and right to foreclosure; Pleadings – consequential equitable relief may follow a finding of breach even absent a separate counterclaim; Appellate review – first appellate court reappraises evidence and admissions.
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22 August 2025 |
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Court granted stay pending appeal to prevent eviction and demolition, but refused to admit additional evidence.
Civil procedure – Stay of execution pending appeal – Requirements: arguable appeal, risk of irreparable damage, balance of convenience, no unreasonable delay; Admission of fresh evidence on appeal – Ladd v Marshall test: due diligence, probative value, credibility; Court of Appeal discretion under Court of Appeal Rules to grant interim relief to preserve appeal.
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22 August 2025 |
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The Court of Appeal cannot intervene or grant interim relief in disputes governed by arbitration agreements under section 9.
Arbitration – Scope of court intervention – Section 9 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act – Appellate jurisdiction – Interim relief – Jurisdiction of Court of Appeal where arbitration is underway.
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22 August 2025 |
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Court of Appeal lacks jurisdiction to entertain appeals in disputes governed by arbitration absent specific statutory provision.
Arbitration—Court jurisdiction—Section 9 Arbitration and Conciliation Act—Interim injunction—Right of appeal from decisions involving subject matter of arbitration—Dismissal for want of jurisdiction.
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22 August 2025 |
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An appeal against interlocutory orders in arbitration proceedings does not lie to the Court of Appeal unless expressly provided by law.
Arbitration—Appeals—Interlocutory orders—Whether appeal lies to the Court of Appeal against High Court orders made under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act—Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal—Section 10 of Judicature Act—Section 9 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act—Restriction on court intervention in arbitration matters.
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22 August 2025 |
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Court of Appeal cannot entertain appeals against interlocutory orders made under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act absent express statutory provision.
Arbitration and Conciliation Act – interlocutory orders – appealability – Court of Appeal jurisdiction – section 10 Judicature Act – section 9 Arbitration and Conciliation Act – extension of time – validation of notice of appeal
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22 August 2025 |
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An appeal challenging findings on limitation, res judicata, and joinder of parties in a land fraud case was dismissed.
Civil procedure – limitation of actions – fraud – when limitation period begins to run – Civil procedure – res judicata – applicability of criminal proceedings to civil claims – Civil procedure – joinder of parties – misjoinder – whether misjoinder/non-joinder can defeat a suit.
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22 August 2025 |
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No automatic right of appeal exists from interim High Court orders in arbitration cases, rendering the notice of appeal incompetent.
Arbitration – Appeals – Jurisdiction of Court of Appeal – Section 9, Arbitration and Conciliation Act – Automatic right of appeal – Interlocutory orders – Withdrawal of application for leave to appeal – Striking out of notice of appeal.
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22 August 2025 |
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A foreign partnership lacking local registration may still sue in Uganda if it has no place of business in Uganda.
Civil procedure – Capacity to sue – Foreign partnerships – Registration under Partnership Act and Business Names Registration Act – Requirement to have a place of business in Uganda – Judicial review – Proper parties – Joinder of private entities in proceedings directed at public bodies.
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22 August 2025 |
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An applicant may obtain an injunction to restrain eviction pending appeal even where their suit was dismissed under Order 7 Rule 11 CPR.
Civil Procedure – Injunctions pending appeal – Competence of appeal without leave – Definition of decree and order – Landlord-tenant disputes – Prima facie case – Irreparable harm – Balance of convenience – Maintenance of status quo pending appeal.
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20 August 2025 |
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Muslim beneficiaries who consent to Sharia-based estate distribution are bound by the ensuing redistribution, absent statutory prohibition.
Succession law – intestate succession – application of Sharia law to Muslim inheritance – authority of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) – effect of beneficiary consent and administrator action – vesting of beneficiary interests.
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19 August 2025 |
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Application for contempt against the Electoral Commission for failure to conduct by-election dismissed due to genuine funding constraints.
Election law – contempt of court – requirements for contempt – good faith efforts at compliance – effect of lack of government funding – remedial versus punitive relief – practical impossibility as a defense to contempt.
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19 August 2025 |
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A second appellate court upheld decreed land ownership to the respondent based on adverse possession, dismissing trespassers' appeal.
Land law – Adverse possession – Ownership of land – Whether suit land could be decreed to persons sued as trespassers – Second appeals – Confined to questions of law – Sufficiency of pleadings and legal standing in land disputes.
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12 August 2025 |
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A bank is not liable to repay cheque values to a customer where the cheque issuer had insufficient funds, though general damages for inconvenience may be awarded.
Banking law – dishonour of cheques – liability of bank where cheques are credited but underlying funds are insufficient – 'money had and received' – reversal of credits – damages for inconvenience – aggravated damages – proper evaluation of evidence in banking disputes.
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11 August 2025 |
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A second appeal was struck out as incompetent for raising vague, non-legal grounds contrary to section 72 of the Civil Procedure Act.
Civil Procedure—Second appeals—Section 72 of the Civil Procedure Act—Appellate grounds confined to law—Requirement for specificity in grounds of appeal—Incompetency of appeal for lack of compliance.
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11 August 2025 |
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Court upheld that an oral contract for sale of land could be specifically enforced due to clear part performance and mutual conduct.
Contract – sale of land – oral contract – evidence of binding agreement – part performance – specific performance – adequacy of damages – appellate review of factual findings – applicability of authorities.
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11 August 2025 |
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The Court of Appeal set aside a High Court judgment entered on an incompetent, time-barred appeal and reinstated the magistrate’s ruling.
Civil procedure – appellate jurisdiction – filing of appeals out of time – requirement for extension of time – effect of non-compliance – jurisdiction of appellate court – procedural irregularities – nullity of proceedings and orders made without competent appeal.
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11 August 2025 |
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Court refused a stay of execution pending appeal where demolition and partial satisfaction of the decree had already occurred.
Civil procedure – stay of execution pending appeal – requirements for grant – irreparable harm – balance of convenience – partial satisfaction of decree.
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8 August 2025 |
