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Citation
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Judgment date
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| November 2025 |
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Applicant raised triable issues; court granted unconditional leave to defend salary-refund claim and ordered defence filed.
Civil procedure — Order 36 summary judgment — triable issue required to refuse summary judgment — denial of liability — study leave and salary refund dispute — COVID-19/industrial action as factual defences — leave to defend granted; WSD within 15 days.
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28 November 2025 |
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A valid share trust deed was breached by trustees’ refusal to transfer shares; court ordered transfers and awarded costs.
Company law – Share trust deed – Validity and enforceability of share trust deed; termination clauses – Board resolution cannot unilaterally repudiate private trust deed – Trustees’ breach of fiduciary duties/contract by refusing to transfer shares – Registrar of Companies directed to effect transfers – Fraud requires full civil suit.
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28 November 2025 |
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Court granted extension to litigate alleged unlawful cancellation of title that implicated the right to a fair hearing.
Judicial review — extension of time under Section 40(7) Judicature Act and Rule 5(1) — exhaustion of administrative remedies as good reason for delay — alleged cancellation of title without hearing — breach of right to fair hearing — public interest in land administration.
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28 November 2025 |
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Judicial review dismissed as premature: ministerial directives not binding and no reviewable decision yet.
Judicial review — amenability and prematurity — ministerial directives vs statutory powers of Commissioner for Land Registration (s.88 Land Act) — procedural fairness — review versus civil remedy for title disputes.
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28 November 2025 |
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Whether counsel’s failure to communicate a time‑bound ruling constituted sufficient cause to validate late compliance and reinstate the suit.
Civil procedure – Enlargement and validation of time (S.96, S.98 CPA; Order 51 r.6) – "Sufficient cause" – Delay due to counsel’s failure to communicate – Effect of late compliance made before execution – Reinstatement of suit – Execution set aside pending verification.
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28 November 2025 |
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The applicant’s stay was dismissed for failing to prove likelihood of success, substantial irreparable loss, and to provide required security.
Civil procedure – Stay of execution – Order 43 Rule 4(1) and Rule 3 conditions – Requirement to show substantial loss, lack of delay, security for due performance – Notice of Appeal filed but competence/service matters for appellate court – Statutory body not equivalent to government for Rule 6 exemption.
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28 November 2025 |
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Court granted extension to file a late memorandum of appeal due to former counsel's inadvertence, finding sufficient cause.
Civil Procedure – Extension of time to file memorandum of appeal – Section 79(1), Section 96 CPA and Order 51 Rule 6 CPR – judicial discretion – factors: length of delay, reason, arguability, prejudice – negligence of former counsel can constitute sufficient cause.
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28 November 2025 |
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Application to set aside default judgment dismissed: service admitted, leave filed late, proposed defence found sham.
Civil procedure – Summary procedure (Order 36 r11) – Setting aside default judgment – Ineffective service vs good cause – Requirement of triable defence – Time limits for specially endorsed plaint – Sham defence – Costs.
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28 November 2025 |
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Applicant's application to strike out the defence for general/evasive denials was dismissed; defence addressed main allegations.
Civil Procedure — Striking out pleadings — Order 6 Rules 8, 10 and 30 CPR — General and evasive denials — Requirement to deal with main allegations; Pleadings must disclose a reasonable defence; Exceptional nature of striking out; Affidavit formalities — belated objection.
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28 November 2025 |
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Court allowed the applicant to add the respondent (Attorney General) to resolve disputed liability and avoid multiplicity of suits.
Civil procedure — Amendment of pleadings (Order 6 Rule 19 CPR) — Joinder of parties (Order 1 Rule 3 CPR) — Section 33 Judicature Act — Vicarious liability dispute — Avoidance of multiplicity of suits — Prejudice test for amendment.
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28 November 2025 |
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Leave to appeal dismissed for being filed late without extension and for lack of sufficient cause.
Civil procedure – Leave to appeal – Time limits under Rule 40 of the Judicature (Court of Appeal Rules) Directions – Late filing without application for extension – Requirement to show sufficient cause – Dilatory conduct – Incompetent application – Costs awarded.
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27 November 2025 |
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Applicant alleged non-display of workers voters register; court refused injunction, awarded monetary compensation.
Electoral law – Interim injunction – Display of voters register for Special Interest Groups (Workers) – Access to information – Public interest and preservation of electoral cycle – Monetary compensation in lieu of injunction.
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25 November 2025 |
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High Court set aside magistrate’s judgment as a nullity for want of pecuniary jurisdiction and remitted the matter.
Revision — High Court power under s.83 CPA; Jurisdiction — pecuniary limits of Magistrates Grade One; Nullity of proceedings for want of jurisdiction; Chief Magistrate’s duty under s.220 MCA to forward irregular records to High Court; Admissibility of affidavits — Order 19 r.3 CPR; Remittal for rehearing; Costs apportionment.
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25 November 2025 |
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An unincorporated business lacks capacity to be sued; respondent liable for defamation and contempt with damages, injunction and imprisonment.
Defamation — publication of false allegations of corruption and theft; fair comment and malice; capacity to sue — unincorporated business name lacks legal personality; contempt — breach of interim restraining order; remedies — damages, injunction, deletion and apology; committal for contempt.
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24 November 2025 |
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Registered lease cannot be rescinded without due process; public body's rejection of transfer and rescission were unlawful.
Administrative law – Judicial review – Amenability where public body made final decision affecting registered proprietor; Natural justice – right to be heard – failure to inform or give hearing vitiates decision; Illegality/ultra vires – public body cannot cancel a registered lease/title without statutory procedure; Irrationality – decisions must be reasonable, transparent and follow legal advice; Remedies – certiorari, mandamus, injunction, damages and costs.
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24 November 2025 |
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Stay of execution refused: appeal lacked serious legal questions and applicant failed to show substantial loss.
Civil procedure – Stay of execution pending appeal – Order 43(2) and (3) CPR – requirements: substantive appeal, risk of substantial loss, no unreasonable delay, security – judicial review appeals limited to process (illegality, irrationality, procedural impropriety) – appeal must raise serious questions of law or fact – balance of hardship.
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24 November 2025 |
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Court granted interim relief restraining employer from suspending or investigating employee where actions were allegedly ultra vires and sub judice.
Judicial review — Interim/ex parte relief — Suspension of employment — Ultra vires and irrational administrative action — Sub judice protection — Preservation of status quo pending review.
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21 November 2025 |
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Applicant failed to satisfy statutory prerequisites for interim stay; Order 9 Rule 6 default judgment upheld.
Civil Procedure – Interim stay of execution – Order 43 Rule 4(3) CPR prerequisites: competent notice of appeal, substantial loss, no unreasonable delay, security – Default judgments – Order 9 Rule 6 for liquidated claims – Procedural irregularities immaterial where substantive debt established – Equity: unclean hands and abuse of process bar relief.
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21 November 2025 |
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Application for judicial reference of taxation was improperly brought; only taxing officer or party consent can invoke a judge.
Advocates Act s.68(1),(2),(3) – Taxation of bills of costs – Referral to judge: only by taxing officer on own motion or by consent of parties; improper procedure cannot be invented by applicant; alternative appeal remedies available – Order 50 r.8 CPR; procedural competence; functus officio issues where appeal pending.
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20 November 2025 |
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The applicant complying with Advocates Act requirements is entitled to have its advocate-client bill taxed and recovered with interest.
Advocates Act (ss.63,64) – Advocate‑client bill of costs – signature and delivery requirements – taxation where respondent fails to seek taxation within 30 days – presumption of truth where affidavit evidence unrebutted – interest under Advocates’ Regulations (6% p.a.).
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20 November 2025 |
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Certificate of title cancellation quashed for illegality and denial of fair hearing; title remains valid pending competent court order.
Administrative law – Judicial review – amenability where public body exercises land registration functions. Land law – Section 88 Land Act – requirements for notice, hearing, reasons and right of appeal before cancelling a certificate of title. Illegality/ultra vires – cancellation of title without jurisdiction or proper procedure. Natural justice – denial of meaningful hearing where a party prevented from testifying or calling witnesses. Separation of powers – commissioner cannot conclusively adjudicate ownership disputes reserved for the High Court.
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14 November 2025 |
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Police acting in the course of duty rendered the State vicariously liable for negligent shooting; damages and costs awarded.
Vicarious liability – employer liability for torts of police officers acting in course of duty Negligence – duty of care by police; unreasonable use/possession of firearm; accidental discharge credibility Remedies – special damages (medical expenses), general damages, punitive damages, interest and costs
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14 November 2025 |
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Government’s admitted liability for agreed terminal benefits justified a certificate/order; unpleaded damages and interest were rejected.
Government proceedings – Certificate of order under Section 19 Government Proceedings Act; Judgment on admissions – sufficiency of government admission under Order 13 r.6; Pleadings – prohibition on relief not claimed and absence of evidence (Fang Min principle).
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6 November 2025 |
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Judicial review focuses on process; interdisciplinary degree valid as related specialization, so appointment upheld.
Administrative law – Judicial review – scope limited to procedural fairness, legality and rationality, not merits; exhaustion of remedies excused where internal remedies are fettered or unaddressed; public appointments – qualifications – interdisciplinary degrees may constitute 'related specialization' under advertised criteria; consultations with technical bodies and accrediting institutions relevant to lawfulness of appointment.
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5 November 2025 |
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Appellant entitled to market value and damages after respondent failed to prove a loan and unlawfully sold his vehicle.
Consumer/money-lending law – compliance with Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders Act (sections 69, 86); Electronic evidence – authentication and admissibility of call recordings under the Electronic Transactions Act; Secured transactions – obligations of secured creditor to account after disposal under section 52(1) of the Security Interest in Movable Property Act; Remedies – award of market value, general damages, interest and costs.
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5 November 2025 |
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Disqualification from guild elections upheld where applicant was convicted by a university disciplinary committee.
Administrative law – Judicial review – scope confined to legality, rationality and procedural fairness Students’ election law – eligibility – Article 9(1)(e) excludes students found guilty by university committee Procedural fairness – fair hearing upheld where student pleaded guilty and was disciplined by Hall Disciplinary Committee
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1 November 2025 |
| October 2025 |
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Appeal dismissed: applicant failed to prove requested documents were in respondents’ possession or relevant for discovery.
Civil procedure — Discovery of documents — Requirement to show documents exist and are in opponent’s possession, custody or power — Relevance and materiality to matters in issue — Avoidance of fishing expeditions — Public/third‑party records obtainable from URSB or banks — Appellate restraint in reviewing discretionary discovery rulings.
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31 October 2025 |
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High Court revised magistrate’s decree: principal debt upheld but punitive and compound interest awards set aside.
Civil procedure – Revision under Section 83 CPA – jurisdictional limits and review for illegality or material irregularity; Order 36 specially endorsed plaint – liquidated demand; punitive/penalty interest and compound interest not recoverable in summary suit where amounts are unascertained.
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31 October 2025 |
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Leave to defend summary suit refused where affidavit and proposed defence disclosed no bona fide triable issue.
Civil procedure – Order 36 summary procedure – leave to appear and defend – triable-issue test; proposed written statement of defence should be attached and sufficiently particular; bare denials or vague assertions are inadequate; refusal of leave under Order 36 Rule 5 results in judgment for plaintiff.
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31 October 2025 |
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Judicial review of a university promotion dismissed as premature for failure to exhaust internal remedies; costs to respondent.
Judicial review — exhaustion of internal remedies (Rule 7A) — administrative decisions of public bodies — promotion appeals procedure — premature application — procedural impropriety and correctness of respondent as decision‑maker.
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29 October 2025 |
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Interim injunction dismissed: funds already disbursed and applicant failed to show irreparable harm; respondents lawfully implementing amended statute.
Interim injunctions — prerequisites (urgency, irreparable harm, status quo) — overtaken-by-events doctrine — limits on restraining implementation of Acts of Parliament — Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Act 2025 conditioning public funding on statutory IPOD membership — balance of convenience.
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29 October 2025 |
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The High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the applicant's pre-Commission election complaint; application dismissed as premature.
Constitutional and electoral law – jurisdiction – Articles 61(1)(f) and 64(1) – Electoral Commission as first-instance forum for pre-poll and polling complaints. Administrative law – exhaustion of remedies – premature judicial review against matters pending administrative review. Voter registration – parish tribunal recommendations and Commission review process; appeal to High Court lies only from final Commission decisions. Binding precedent – Court of Appeal and Supreme Court authority that High Court is not first-instance forum for such election complaints.
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24 October 2025 |
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Court pierced corporate veil where respondent director used the company to frustrate execution through deliberate transfers.
Company law – lifting/piercing corporate veil – Companies Act s.20 – ‘‘alter ego’’ doctrine – abuse of separate legal personality to frustrate execution – fraudulent transfers to related company and to director’s personal account – execution remedies and costs.
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24 October 2025 |
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Detention beyond 48 hours violated the applicant’s right to personal liberty; torture allegations were not proved.
Constitutional law – Article 23 (personal liberty) – detention beyond 48 hours; Prohibition of torture – Article 24 and Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act – burden of proof and admissibility of medical evidence; Human Rights (Enforcement) Act – remedies and compensation for violated fundamental rights.
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23 October 2025 |
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Challenge to party primary cancellation dismissed as overtaken by events and therefore moot.
Administrative law – Judicial review – amenability and exhaustion of internal remedies; Elections – cancellation and fresh primaries; Mootness – application overtaken by events; Procedural impropriety vs correctness of decision; Party dispute resolution and tribunals' errors.
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22 October 2025 |
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Government may verify beneficiaries of representative judgments to prevent fraud without unlawfully interfering with execution.
Executive verification of beneficiaries; allegations of fraud in representative suits; use of security agencies to verify identities lawful to protect public funds; no interference with execution of court judgments where verification is justified.
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22 October 2025 |
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Habeas corpus dismissed where State denies custody and applicants are treated as missing persons.
Habeas corpus – constitutional non-derogable remedy – burden to produce detainee – returns and searches – absence of custody evidence – missing persons and missing-person investigations.
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22 October 2025 |
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Interdiction of a Head of Department was unlawful and procedurally improper; interdiction quashed, charges quashed, damages awarded.
Judicial review – administrative decision – interdiction of senior public officer – amenability to review; Illegality – disciplinary control and removal of Heads of Department reserved to the President – interdiction by non‑appointing authority ultra vires; Procedural impropriety – failure to give fair hearing, failure to frame charges and consult Solicitor General; Contempt – charging/prosecuting despite interim court order; Remedies – certiorari, prohibitory injunctions, quashing of charges, damages and costs.
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21 October 2025 |
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Contempt application dismissed because the applicant lacked authority to represent the claimants, so merits were not considered.
Contempt of court — elements: lawful order, knowledge, ability to comply, disobedience; Standing/locus — authority to represent multiple claimants in contempt proceedings; Civil procedure — failure to prove representation justifies dismissal without addressing merits.
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21 October 2025 |
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Applicant admitted debt and failed to raise a triable issue; leave to defend dismissed and summary judgment entered for the plaintiff.
Summary procedure — Leave to appear and defend — Order 36 rule 3(1) — Bona fide triable issue required — Affidavit sufficiency — Admission of debt — Contractual terms not establishing defence — Entitlement to summary decree on refusal of leave.
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19 October 2025 |
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Stay of execution denied because applicant failed to show a prima facie likelihood of success on appeal.
Civil procedure – Stay of execution pending appeal – Requirements under Order 43 r.4 – necessity of pending appeal, likelihood of success, absence of unreasonable delay, and security. Appellate procedure – Likelihood of success as primary consideration – importance of annexing grounds of appeal to enable assessment. Equity – Balance of convenience – protection of successful party’s fruits of judgment and compensability by monetary relief.
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18 October 2025 |
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Judicial review available where a party tribunal rescinded a declaration and re‑tallied votes without affording a fair hearing.
• Judicial review – amenability of political party organs and internal election tribunals; public body status of political parties.
• Administrative law – grounds for review: illegality, irrationality (Wednesbury), and procedural impropriety (natural justice).
• Functus officio – returning officer/district registrar lacks power to rescind a declared result once declared; errors fall to the tribunal.
• Procedural fairness – re‑tallying or verification exercises affecting rights must afford affected candidate opportunity to participate or witness.
• Remedies – certiorari to quash tribunal decision and mandamus to compel issuance of party flag/card.
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17 October 2025 |
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The High Court lacks appellate jurisdiction over UCA Board decisions; the applicant's appeal is dismissed with costs to the respondents.
Cooperative Societies Act – Arbitration and appeals – Sections 142 and 144 – Interpretation of "court" – forum for disputes concerning registered societies – appellate jurisdiction as creature of statute – limits of inherent jurisdiction of the High Court – jurisdictional nullity.
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16 October 2025 |
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High Court lacks jurisdiction to stay or suspend a criminal contempt sentence for scandalising the court; remedy is appeal.
Contempt of Court – classification – distinction between civil (remedial) and criminal (punitive) contempt. Scandalising the court – public statements/tweets as criminal contempt capable of undermining public confidence. Procedure and remedies – criminal contempt sentences are fixed and the sentencing court becomes functus officio; remedy lies in appeal. Indirect (not in the face of court) contempt can nonetheless be criminal where it scandalises the judiciary.
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16 October 2025 |
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Temporary injunction granted where society’s council constitutionality and fairness of meetings are in dispute.
Administrative law; injunctions – preservation of status quo pending trial; society governance – constitution of Council under s.9 Uganda Law Society Act; requisitioned meetings – interplay of s.16(1) and s.16(2); natural justice – right to fair hearing in removal/censure; disqualification by sentence – Regulation 15(2)(e).
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16 October 2025 |
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Defendants breached sale and refund agreements; plaintiff awarded UGX 68m refund, UGX 30m damages, interest and costs.
Contract law – land sale – failure to deliver vacant possession – breach of contract and entitlement to rescission and refund. Evidence – burden on plaintiff to prove on balance of probabilities; admission and weight of documentary evidence (PEX1, PEX3, PEX4). Remedies – repayment of purchase price, general damages, interest (commercial and court rates), and costs. Civil procedure – defendants’ non‑attendance and non‑compliance; proceeding ex parte under Order 9 rule 20.
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13 October 2025 |
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Judicial review inappropriate to decide substantive appointment rights; applicant used wrong procedure and application was time‑barred.
Judicial review — amenability — procedural impropriety, illegality and irrationality — supervisory remedy not for determining substantive appointment rights — time‑bar under Judicature (Judicial Review) Rules (three months).
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13 October 2025 |
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Assignment of tenancy without landlord’s prior written consent amounted to trespass; eviction, damages and injunction granted.
Landlord and Tenant — Assignment/subletting — Prior written consent required by tenancy clause; Trespass — unlawful occupation after tenancy expiry; Unauthorized permanent structures — no compensation to trespasser; Remedies — eviction, special and general damages, interest, injunction, costs.
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13 October 2025 |
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Cancellation of title without statutory notice or hearing was procedurally irregular; certiorari and mandamus granted.
Land law; judicial review; procedural fairness and natural justice; Section 88 Land Act notice and hearing requirement; illegality and ultra vires administrative action; certiorari and mandamus as remedies.
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13 October 2025 |
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Court pierced the corporate veil and held directors personally liable for deliberately frustrating execution of a valid judgment.
Company law – Corporate personality – Piercing the corporate veil where company used to frustrate execution of a valid decree or to evade legal obligations. Civil procedure – Execution of decrees – Scope and effect of Section 34(1) Civil Procedure Act; executing court’s powers and when a fresh suit may be entertained. Jurisdiction – Pecuniary limits of Magistrate Grade I; award within jurisdictional limits. Remedies – Personal liability of directors where company is used as instrument to defeat judgment enforcement.
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13 October 2025 |