[2004] UGCA 14

[2004] UGCA 14

The Court of Appeal held that the trial judge was correct in ordering security for costs, given the appellant's non-residence and lack of property in Uganda. However, the quantum of UGX 80,000,000 was excessive in the absence of an evaluation report and clear evidence of the disputed property's value. The court...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2004] UGCA 14
Parties
Appellant: Ramzanali Mohamed Ali Meghani; Respondent: Kibona Enterprises Limited
Court
Court of Appeal of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Appeal No. 27 of 2003
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal_partly_allowed
Legal Topics
Security for Costs, Quantum of Security, Non Resident Litigant, Access to Justice
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Security for Costs Quantum of Security Non Resident Litigant Access to Justice

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Ramzanali Mohamed Ali Meghani

Appellant

Kibona Enterprises Limited

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge erred in ordering the appellant to furnish security for costs.
  2. 2 Whether the quantum of security for costs ordered was excessive.
  3. 3 Whether the appellant's suit had no likelihood of success.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal held that the trial judge was correct in ordering security for costs, given the appellant's non-residence and lack of property in Uganda. However, the quantum of UGX 80,000,000 was excessive in the absence of an evaluation report and clear evidence of the disputed property's value. The court found no justification for such a high figure and reduced the amount to UGX 15,000,000. The court also found no evidence to support the assertion that the appellant's suit had no likelihood of success, especially as allegations of fraud and error had not yet been tested at trial. Each party was ordered to bear its own costs.

Court Disposition

appeal_partly_allowed

Orders

  • The order for security for costs of UGX 80,000,000 is set aside.
  • The appellant is to deposit UGX 15,000,000 as security for costs in the trial court before the hearing of the substantive suit.