[2005] UGHC 105

[2005] UGHC 105

The tribunal erred by granting leave to amend pleadings without any proposed amendment being presented. The procedure adopted was irregular, as the respondent was given open-ended permission to amend without specifying the nature of the amendment or allowing the appellants an opportunity to respond. The court is...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2005] UGHC 105
Parties
Appellant: George Patrick Mwebaze & Others; Respondent: Saidi Kwinini
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
HCT-05-CV-CA-011-2005
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal_allowed
Legal Topics
Amendment of Pleadings, Leave to Amend, Cause of Action, Land Disputes
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Land and Property Amendment of Pleadings Leave to Amend Cause of Action Land Disputes

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

George Patrick Mwebaze & Others

Appellant

Saidi Kwinini

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the tribunal erred in law by entertaining an application to amend pleadings without a proposed amendment.
  2. 2 Whether the tribunal erred in law by allowing an amendment in general terms.
  3. 3 Whether the tribunal erred in law by allowing an amendment that introduced a new cause of action.

Ratio Decidendi

The tribunal erred by granting leave to amend pleadings without any proposed amendment being presented. The procedure adopted was irregular, as the respondent was given open-ended permission to amend without specifying the nature of the amendment or allowing the appellants an opportunity to respond. The court is persuaded by the dictum in Hall vs Meyrick, which requires that amendments be put in writing and submitted to the other side before a final ruling is made. The tribunal's decision to grant leave to amend was therefore annulled, and the respondent must formally seek leave to amend his pleadings if he still wishes to do so. The appeal succeeds with costs awarded to the appellants.

Court Disposition

appeal_allowed

Orders

  • Leave to amend granted by the tribunal is annulled.
  • Respondent must formally seek leave to amend pleadings before the tribunal if so inclined.