[1953] EACA 7
Section 25(g) of the Resident Labourers Ordinance (Cap. 113) does not create a criminal offence for a resident labourer's refusal to obey an order from his employer. The magistrate's authority under this section is limited to rescinding the contract of service, not to convicting or imposing a criminal penalty. The...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [1953] EACA 7
- Parties
- Appellant: G. Stephene; Respondent: Regina
- Court
- East African Court of Appeal
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal No. 98 of 1953
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- conviction quashed; fine set aside
- Judges
- Bourke J, Hearne CJ
- Legal Topics
- Resident Labourers, Failure to Obey Order, Magistrate Powers, Contract of Service
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
G. Stephene
Appellant
Regina
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether section 25(g) of the Resident Labourers Ordinance (Cap. 113) creates a criminal offence for refusal by a resident labourer to obey an order of his employer.
- 2 Whether the magistrate had power to convict and fine the appellant for such refusal.
Ratio Decidendi
Section 25(g) of the Resident Labourers Ordinance (Cap. 113) does not create a criminal offence for a resident labourer's refusal to obey an order from his employer. The magistrate's authority under this section is limited to rescinding the contract of service, not to convicting or imposing a criminal penalty. The conviction and fine imposed by the magistrate were ultra vires and must be quashed.
Court Disposition
conviction quashed; fine set aside
Orders
- Conviction and sentence set aside.
- Order for the fine to be refunded.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
11 paragraphs
# APPELLATE CRIMINAL
### Before HEARNE, C. J. and BOURKE, J.
#### G. STEPHENE, Appellant
## $\mathbf{v}$ . REGINA, Respondent
#### Criminal Appeal No. 98 of 1952
## Criminal Law—Resident Labourers Ordinance (Cap. 113) section 25—Refusal of resident labourer to obey order-Whether power to convict of criminal offence.
The accused, who was employed as a resident labourer on a farm at Londiani, was ordered by his employer to assist another servant outside the usual course of his employment. He refused. He was taken before a Second Class Magistrate and charged with refusing to obey an order contrary to section 25 (g) of the Resident Labourers Ordinance (Cap. 113). The accused was convicted as if this were a criminal offence and fined. The accused appealed. The Crown did not support the conviction.
Held (14-5-52).-No criminal offence is created by section 25 (g) of the Resident Labourers Ordinance (Cap. 113) in the event of a resident labourer failing to obey an order of his employer. The power given to the magistrate was no more than to rescind the contract of service. The conviction being ultra vires of the magistrate was quashed and the fine set aside.
Appellant in person.
Boyle, Crown Counsel, for the Crown.
JUDGMENT.—In the opinion of the Attorney-General no criminal offence had been committed by the appellant by refusing to obey the order given to him. The power given to the magistrate under section 25 of Cap. 113 was merely to rescind the contract of service, if the appellant was proved to have refused to obey the order given to him (section 25 (2) (a) and section 25 (5) (g)). We agree with the view of the Attorney-General and the conviction and sentence are set aside. Order for the fine to be refunded.