[2009] UGHC 34

[2009] UGHC 34

The High Court found that the purported arbitration agreement between the parties did not constitute a valid arbitration agreement under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act for the purposes of dissolving a marriage. Jurisdiction to grant divorce, including decree nisi and decree absolute, is reserved exclusively to...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2009] UGHC 34
Parties
Applicant: W; Respondent: W
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
HCT-00-FD-MC-0008-2009
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
Outcome
application dismissed
Legal Topics
Divorce Jurisdiction, Arbitration Agreement Validity, Public Policy in Family Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Matters
Source Language
en
Family and Children Civil Procedure Alternative Dispute Resolution Divorce Jurisdiction Arbitration Agreement Validity Public Policy in Family Law Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Matters

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Parties

W

Applicant

W

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Miscellaneous Application / Ruling

  1. 1 Can parties validly refer divorce proceedings to arbitration under Ugandan law.
  2. 2 Does the Arbitration and Conciliation Act confer jurisdiction on arbitrators to dissolve marriages.
  3. 3 Is an arbitration agreement purporting to grant divorce enforceable or void for public policy.

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court found that the purported arbitration agreement between the parties did not constitute a valid arbitration agreement under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act for the purposes of dissolving a marriage. Jurisdiction to grant divorce, including decree nisi and decree absolute, is reserved exclusively to the courts under Section 3 of the Divorce Act. Even if the parties had agreed to refer the dissolution of their marriage to arbitration, such an agreement would be void for public policy, as parties cannot confer jurisdiction over divorce on a private tribunal. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act does not impliedly amend the Divorce Act to allow arbitrators to dissolve...

Court Disposition

application dismissed

Orders

  • Application to register the arbitrator's award is dismissed.
  • No order as to costs, given both parties supported the application and proceedings before the arbitrator.