[2023] UGCA 357

[2023] UGCA 357

The court found that the first bill of costs filed by the respondent was properly withdrawn by letter and not acted upon, and that the applicant suffered no prejudice as a result. The challenge to the existence of two bills of costs was raised only after the taxation ruling and was deemed an afterthought. On the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] UGCA 357
Parties
Applicant: Hope Mukanusi; Respondent: Uganda Revenue Authority
Court
Court of Appeal of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Appeal Reference 5 of 2022
Procedural Posture
Civil Reference / Ruling on Reference From Taxation
Outcome
Reference partially allowed; bill of costs re-taxed; only disbursements allowed; professional fees disallowed for in-house counsel.
Judges
Kiryabwire, JA
Legal Topics
Taxation of Costs, Professional Fees, In House Counsel Costs, Bill of Costs, Costs Award
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Tax Law Taxation of Costs Professional Fees In House Counsel Costs Bill of Costs Costs Award

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Parties

Hope Mukanusi

Applicant

Uganda Revenue Authority

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Reference / Ruling on Reference From Taxation

  1. 1 Whether the taxing officer erred by entertaining and taxing a second bill of costs not served on the applicant.
  2. 2 Whether the taxing officer erred in awarding professional fees to the respondent after ruling that in-house counsel are not entitled to instruction or professional fees.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the first bill of costs filed by the respondent was properly withdrawn by letter and not acted upon, and that the applicant suffered no prejudice as a result. The challenge to the existence of two bills of costs was raised only after the taxation ruling and was deemed an afterthought. On the issue of professional fees, the court reaffirmed the principle that in-house counsel are not entitled to instruction or professional fees, as these are not actual expenses incurred by the organization. The taxing officer correctly taxed off instruction fees but erred in allowing items such as attendances, professional copying, and compiling, which also flow from professional fees....

Court Disposition

Reference partially allowed; bill of costs re-taxed; only disbursements allowed; professional fees disallowed for in-house counsel.

Orders

  • The respondent's bill of costs is taxed and allowed at UGX 1,012,500 only.
  • Professional fees and items flowing from instruction fees are disallowed for in-house counsel.