[2002] UGSC 38

[2002] UGSC 38

The Supreme Court held that the appellant, having previously used the chemical and specified its type and specifications, did not rely on the respondent's skill or judgment. The evidence showed the chemical supplied was the one ordered and previously used successfully. The appellant's own technical staff tested and...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2002] UGSC 38
Parties
Appellant: Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd.; Respondent: Lawsam Chemical (U) Ltd.
Court
Supreme Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Appeal 5 of 2001
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Supreme Court Final Appeal
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Sale of Goods, Burden of Proof, Contractual Fitness for Purpose, Counterclaim, Evidence Evaluation
Source Language
en
Commercial and Corporate Civil Procedure Sale of Goods Burden of Proof Contractual Fitness for Purpose Counterclaim Evidence Evaluation

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd.

Appellant

Lawsam Chemical (U) Ltd.

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Supreme Court Final Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the chemical (LSR Super Acid) supplied by the respondent was fit for the purpose of boiler tube descaling as contracted.
  2. 2 Whether the appellant was entitled to reject the chemical and claim damages for loss of production due to alleged ineffectiveness.
  3. 3 Which party bore the burden of proof regarding the chemical's fitness for purpose and whether that burden was discharged.

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that the appellant, having previously used the chemical and specified its type and specifications, did not rely on the respondent's skill or judgment. The evidence showed the chemical supplied was the one ordered and previously used successfully. The appellant's own technical staff tested and approved the chemical before use. The failure of the descaling was not proven to be due to the chemical's unfitness, and the appellant took a deliberate risk by proceeding without the expert's supervision. The burden of proof to show the chemical was unfit lay with the appellant, and this was not discharged. The respondent was therefore entitled to the balance of the contract...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed with costs to the respondent in the Supreme Court and courts below.
  • Judgment for the respondent on the counterclaim for the balance of the contract price.