[2012] KESC 4 (KLR)

[2012] KESC 4 (KLR)

The Supreme Court held that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the appeal because the issue raised—whether the Attorney-General could appear as a party in the Court of Appeal—was a collateral matter not integrally linked to the substantive cause pending before the Court of Appeal. The Court found that the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2012] KESC 4 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: Kenya Section of the International Commission of Jurists; Appellant: Commission Of Jurists; Respondent: Attorney General; Respondent: The Attorney-General; Respondent: The Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security; Respondent: Kenyans for Justice and Development; Respondent: And Internal Security
Court
Supreme Court
Court Station
Supreme Court of Kenya
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Criminal Appeal 1 of 2012
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Ruling on Preliminary Objection Regarding Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Outcome
preliminary objection upheld; appeal struck out for want of jurisdiction
Judges
WM Mutunga, JB Ojwang
Legal Topics
Appellate Jurisdiction, Role of Attorney General, Interpretation of Constitution, Criminal Proceedings, Leave to Appeal
Source Language
en
Constitutional Law Criminal Law Appellate Jurisdiction Role of Attorney General Interpretation of Constitution Criminal Proceedings Leave to Appeal

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Kenya Section of the International Commission of Jurists

Appellant

Commission Of Jurists

Appellant

Attorney General

Respondent

The Attorney-General

Respondent

The Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security

Respondent

Kenyans for Justice and Development

Respondent

And Internal Security

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Ruling on Preliminary Objection Regarding Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

  1. 1 Whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear an appeal on a preliminary objection regarding representation in the Court of Appeal.
  2. 2 Whether the issue of the Attorney-General's appearance constitutes a matter of interpretation or application of the Constitution under Article 163(4)(a).
  3. 3 Whether leave of the Court of Appeal was required before lodging the appeal to the Supreme Court.

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the appeal because the issue raised—whether the Attorney-General could appear as a party in the Court of Appeal—was a collateral matter not integrally linked to the substantive cause pending before the Court of Appeal. The Court found that the proceedings were not criminal in nature, as the core questions related to the relationship between the Kenyan judicial system and the International Criminal Court, the applicability of international customary law, and the immunity of serving Heads of State. The Court determined that the Attorney-General's participation was proper and that there was no legitimate constitutional issue...

Court Disposition

preliminary objection upheld; appeal struck out for want of jurisdiction

Orders

  • The preliminary objection is upheld.
  • The appeal is struck out for want of jurisdiction.