[1998] UGHC 14

[1998] UGHC 14

The court held that the Industrial Court's interpretative decision was ultra vires and null and void because the award had not been published in the gazette as required by statute. The statutory scheme mandates publication as a precondition for interpretation and enforcement. The absence of publication rendered any...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1998] UGHC 14
Parties
Applicant: Barclays Bank of Uganda Ltd; Respondent: National Union of Clerical, Commercial, Professional and Technical Employees
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Misc.Cause No. 314 of 1997
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
Outcome
application_granted
Legal Topics
Industrial Court Awards, Collective Bargaining Agreements, Judicial Review Certiorari, Award Publication Requirements, Retrospective Awards, Employee Entitlements
Source Language
en
Employment and Labour Administrative Law Industrial Court Awards Collective Bargaining Agreements Judicial Review Certiorari Award Publication Requirements Retrospective Awards Employee Entitlements

Source-derived case record

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Parties

Barclays Bank of Uganda Ltd

Applicant

National Union of Clerical, Commercial, Professional and Technical Employees

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Miscellaneous Application / Ruling

  1. 1 Whether the Industrial Court's interpretative decision was ultra vires for lack of publication in the gazette.
  2. 2 Whether the award could lawfully be made retrospective to a date earlier than the dispute arose.
  3. 3 Which employees were entitled to benefit from the award under the collective agreement.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the Industrial Court's interpretative decision was ultra vires and null and void because the award had not been published in the gazette as required by statute. The statutory scheme mandates publication as a precondition for interpretation and enforcement. The absence of publication rendered any subsequent interpretation unlawful. Furthermore, the Industrial Court erred by making the award retrospective to 1st January 1993, a date earlier than the dispute arose (1st December 1993), contrary to Section 8(3) of the Act. Only employees in service as of the commencement of proceedings (1st December 1993) were entitled to benefit from the award. Retirement letters issued...

Court Disposition

application_granted

Orders

  • The Industrial Court's interpretative decision delivered on 11/2/97 in Trade Dispute No. 2 of 1993 is quashed.
  • A prohibition is issued against enforcement or publication of the Industrial Court's award.