[1996] UGHC 10

[1996] UGHC 10

The court found that the reasons advanced by the plaintiff for adjournment—being too busy at work and the absence of witnesses—did not amount to sufficient cause. The court emphasized that if being busy at work were accepted as sufficient cause, court work would not progress. The absence of witnesses, without...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1996] UGHC 10
Parties
Plaintiff: Kereni Bwomono; Defendant: Titus Kidega Lak; Defendant: The Co-operative Bank Ltd
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
High Court Civil Suit No. MG 5/94
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Ruling on Adjournment Application
Outcome
application_for_adjournment_dismissed_and_suit_dismissed_for_nonappearance
Legal Topics
Adjournment, Sufficient Cause, Dismissal for Nonappearance
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Adjournment Sufficient Cause Dismissal for Nonappearance

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Parties

Kereni Bwomono

Plaintiff

Titus Kidega Lak

Defendant

The Co-operative Bank Ltd

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Ruling on Adjournment Application

  1. 1 Whether the plaintiff has shown sufficient cause for adjournment of the hearing.
  2. 2 Whether the absence of the plaintiff and his witnesses justifies adjournment.
  3. 3 Whether the suit should be dismissed for want of prosecution.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the reasons advanced by the plaintiff for adjournment—being too busy at work and the absence of witnesses—did not amount to sufficient cause. The court emphasized that if being busy at work were accepted as sufficient cause, court work would not progress. The absence of witnesses, without explanation for their failure to attend, was also not sufficient. Consequently, the court exercised its discretion to refuse adjournment and dismissed the suit under Order 9 Rule 19 of the Civil Procedure Rules, with costs awarded to the second and third defendants.

Court Disposition

application_for_adjournment_dismissed_and_suit_dismissed_for_nonappearance

Orders

  • The application for adjournment is dismissed.
  • The suit is dismissed under Order 9 Rule 19 of the Civil Procedure Rules.