[2004] UGHC 21

[2004] UGHC 21

The High Court found that the trial magistrate misdirected himself on the law regarding effective service of summons. Although the process server claimed to have served the appellant's wife, there was no evidence of reasonable inquiry as to the appellant's whereabouts, as required by Order 5 Rule 14 of the Civil...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2004] UGHC 21
Parties
Appellant: Okoth Alex; Respondent: Lwanyaga Edwin
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
HCT-00-CV-CS-31 of 2003
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; suit remitted for trial as an ordinary suit; each party to bear own costs.
Legal Topics
Exparte Judgment, Setting Aside Judgment, Service of Process, Summary Procedure
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Exparte Judgment Setting Aside Judgment Service of Process Summary Procedure

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Parties

Okoth Alex

Appellant

Lwanyaga Edwin

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the trial magistrate erred in law and fact by refusing to set aside the ex parte judgment of 29th July 1999.
  2. 2 Whether there was effective service of summons on the appellant as required by law.
  3. 3 Whether the written statement of defence could be treated as an application for leave to appear and defend under summary procedure.

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court found that the trial magistrate misdirected himself on the law regarding effective service of summons. Although the process server claimed to have served the appellant's wife, there was no evidence of reasonable inquiry as to the appellant's whereabouts, as required by Order 5 Rule 14 of the Civil Procedure Rules and the authority in Waweru v. Kiromo. However, the appellant's own written statement of defence admitted receipt of the summons, thereby estopping him from denying effective service. The Court further held that the written statement of defence, particularly its last paragraph, could be construed as an application for leave to appear and defend, or alternatively,...

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part; suit remitted for trial as an ordinary suit; each party to bear own costs.

Orders

  • The suit is remitted to the trial magistrate to be tried as an ordinary suit.
  • Each party is to bear his own costs of the appeal and the proceedings in the lower court.