[1998] UGCA 16

[1998] UGCA 16

The appeal turned on whether the respondent's payment of the purchase price and subsequent possession of the land, absent a written agreement and without the vendor's express consent, constituted an enforceable contract of sale. The court held that payment alone does not amount to part performance, and clandestine...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1998] UGCA 16
Parties
Appellant: Stanley Beinababo; Respondent: Abaho Tumushabe
Court
Court of Appeal of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Appeal No 11 of 1997
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Second Appeal From High Court Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Sale of Land, Part Performance, Oral Contracts, Trespass, Title and Possession
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Sale of Land Part Performance Oral Contracts Trespass Title and Possession

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Stanley Beinababo

Appellant

Abaho Tumushabe

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Second Appeal From High Court Judgment

  1. 1 Whether payment of the purchase price and possession without written agreement constitutes enforceable sale of land.
  2. 2 Whether the respondent was a trespasser on the land.
  3. 3 Whether transfer by the registered proprietor not party to the sale agreement amounts to valid sale.

Ratio Decidendi

The appeal turned on whether the respondent's payment of the purchase price and subsequent possession of the land, absent a written agreement and without the vendor's express consent, constituted an enforceable contract of sale. The court held that payment alone does not amount to part performance, and clandestine possession without the vendor's consent does not satisfy the equitable requirement for enforcement of a parol contract. The transfer by the vendor's father, who was not a party to the sale agreement, did not validate the sale between the vendor and respondent. However, the respondent's possession created a title under common law, which could only be defeated by a better title....

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed.
  • The appellant shall pay the respondent's costs in the court below only.