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B.D.S.Ltd v Antone. H. Akroush (High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 503 of 2008) [2008] UGCommC 49 (20 October 2008)
- Citation
- [2008] UGCommC 49
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Court
- Commercial Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
- Case number
- High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 503 of 2008
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- Commercial Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
- Case number
- High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 503 of 2008
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court found that service of process was properly effected at the applicant company's registered address, as evidenced by the affidavit of service. The applicants failed to demonstrate lack of service or a sufficiently meritorious defence to justify unconditional leave to defend. However, given the substantial amount in dispute, the court exercised discretion to grant conditional leave to defend and set aside the previous orders, subject to the applicants paying the sum of USD 225,000 into court within two weeks. Failure to comply would result in revival of the previous orders and execution by the plaintiffs. Costs of the application were awarded to the plaintiffs.
Court disposition
conditional_leave_to_defend_granted_subject_to_payment
Orders
- Conditional leave to defend and set aside previous orders granted subject to payment of USD 225,000 into court within two weeks.
- If payment is not made within two weeks, conditional leave is discharged and previous orders revived.
- Defendants/applicants to pay costs of this application to the plaintiffs.
02
Material facts
Parties
B. D. S Limited
ApplicantAntone H. Akroush
RespondentAmounts and remedies
- Conditional Payment Into Court: USD 225,000
03
Procedural history
Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the defendants/applicants were properly served with court process.
- 02
Whether the defendants/applicants have a meritorious defence to justify setting aside the decree.
- 03
Whether conditional leave to defend should be granted and under what terms.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The applicants claim they were not served with the court process and have a good cause of action, particularly that no notice of dishonor was given when the cheque was dishonored. They argue that the orders in the main suit should be set aside and unconditional leave to defend should be granted.
- Respondent
- The respondents argue that service was effected at the company's registered address and that the affidavit of service is conclusive. They maintain that the claim was based on a dishonored cheque and that the plaintiffs did not need to show consideration. They assert that the defendants did not respond to the dishonor or make proposals to settle the cheque.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Order 36 Rule 11, Civil Procedure Rules
Service of court documents at a company's registered address is conclusive for purposes of legal process.
- 02
Order 36 Rule 11, Civil Procedure Rules
A party seeking to set aside a decree must show both lack of service and a meritorious defence.
- 03
Order 36 Rule 11, Civil Procedure Rules
Conditional leave to defend may be granted where large sums are at issue, subject to payment into court.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court found that service of process was properly effected at the applicant company's registered address, as evidenced by the affidavit of service. The applicants failed to demonstrate lack of service or a sufficiently meritorious defence to justify unconditional leave to defend. However, given the substantial amount in dispute, the court exercised discretion to grant conditional leave to defend and set aside the previous orders, subject to the applicants paying the sum of USD 225,000 into court within two weeks. Failure to comply would result in revival of the previous orders and execution by the plaintiffs. Costs of the application were awarded to the plaintiffs.
Obiter and limits
- If the defendants/applicants have difficulty making payment into court due to their client being out of the country, they may reapply for extension of time or communicate with the other side for mutual consent.
- If the sum of USD 225,000 is not paid into court within two weeks, the conditional leave will be discharged and previous orders revived.
Court disposition
conditional_leave_to_defend_granted_subject_to_payment
- Conditional leave to defend and set aside previous orders granted subject to payment of USD 225,000 into court within two weeks.
- If payment is not made within two weeks, conditional leave is discharged and previous orders revived.
- Defendants/applicants to pay costs of this application to the plaintiffs.
Source and reliance status
Commercial Court of Uganda
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Commercial Court of Uganda
Judgment
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{\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5797233 \b\f36\fs32\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 \par }{\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 IN THE HIGH COUT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \par COMMERCIAL COURT DIVISION \par \par HCT}{\f0\fs24\insrsid15032037\charrsid5797233 \endash }{\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 00}{\f0\fs24\insrsid15032037\charrsid5797233 \endash }{\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 CC}{\f0\fs24\insrsid15032037\charrsid5797233 \endash }{ \f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 MA}{\f0\fs24\insrsid15032037\charrsid5797233 }{\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 -}{\f0\fs24\insrsid15032037\charrsid5797233 }{\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 503}{ \f0\fs24\insrsid15032037\charrsid5797233 -
}{\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 2008 \par \par B. D. S LIMITED\tab }{\f0\fs24\insrsid1443459\charrsid5797233 ::::::::::::::::::::::}{\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 ::::::::::::::: APPLICANT \par \par VS \par \par ANTONE . H. AKROUSH ::::::::::::::::\tab RESPONDENT \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5797233 {\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5797233 {\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 RULING \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5797233 {\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5797233 {\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 This is a n Application brought by the Defendants/Applicants B. D. S Limited to set aside the orders made in the main suit }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 CS }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 230 of 2008 and for stay of execution an}{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 d unconditional leave to appear }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 and defendant and for}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233
co}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 st}{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 s. \par \par The}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 said application is made under Section 33 of the Judicature Act, Section 98 of the Civil Procedure Rule}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 s}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 , Order 36 Rule 11 of }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 Civil Procedure Rules}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 , Order 22 Rule 24 and Order 52 Rule 1 & 3 of }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 Civil Procedure Rules}{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 . }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 \par \par }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 The Plaintiffs brought the claim following issuance of cheque by BDS Limited in the sum of 225,000 dollars}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 . A}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 pparently that cheque was issued by the company which was previously called Jae}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 l}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 Limited as stipulated in paragraph 2 of the Plaint. \par \par }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 The Applicants/}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 Defendant}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 s}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233
claim that they were not served }{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid1331279\charrsid5797233 and that they have a good cause of action and particularly that when the cheque was dishonored no notice of dishonor was given to them. }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid5590666\charrsid5797233 \par \par }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid1331279\charrsid5797233 The application before the court is to set aside the decree and the court has to consider whether the Defendants/Respondents were served or not a nd secondly whether there is any merit in the case in order to proceed ahead. }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid2889717\charrsid5797233 \par }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid1331279\charrsid5797233 The court has looked at the }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid5590666\charrsid5797233 Affidavit of service which was filed by the court Process server who gave a very detailed explanation of what happened particularly explaining that he was referred to one Isaac}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid2889717\charrsid5797233 ,}{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid5590666\charrsid5797233 supposed to be the Manager of BDS Limited at Hannington road and that he would not sign the documents but nevertheless }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid9593820\charrsid5797233 accepted the documents pointing out that he would seek advise from his Lawyers before he signs anything.}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid11485506\charrsid5797233 \par }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid9593820\charrsid5797233 \par The court is satisfied that the service of documents at
the Company\rquote s place of business or registered address is conclusive. As far as the merits are concerned, the Defendants allege that }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid198250\charrsid5797233 the Plaintiffs have not shown any consideration }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid3935805\charrsid5797233 and that the Plaintiffs were informed that they had to serve any proceedings on their Lawyers. \par \par The claim was brought on the }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid10821309\charrsid5797233 dishonored}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid3935805\charrsid5797233 cheques and the plaintiffs did not have to show any consideration and if the cheque was }{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid10821309\charrsid5797233 dishonored}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid3935805\charrsid5797233 the defendants did not write back to the Plaintiff explaining why the cheque had been }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid10821309\charrsid5797233 dishonored}{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid3935805\charrsid5797233 or any other proposals to make sure that the cheque was met in due course. }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid8469882\charrsid5797233 \par \par }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid3935805\charrsid5797233 In those circumstances, the court is sa}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid7886815\charrsid5797233 tisfied that this is not a case where the Application should be allowed but nevertheless in }{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid8469882\charrsid5797233 v}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid7886815\charrsid5797233 ie}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid8469882\charrsid5797233
w}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid7886815\charrsid5797233 of the large sums of monies claimed or in issue, the court will grant a conditional leave to}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid1443459\charrsid5797233 defend and set aside the orders already made subject to the Defendant\rquote s/Applicant\rquote s paying the sum of 225,000 dollars into the court within two (2) wee ks. If the Defendants/Applicants have any problem in making payment into the court because their client is out of the country, then they should re-apply to the court for extension of time or communicate with the other side informing them of their problems so that the }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid8132297\charrsid5797233 extension of time may be given by }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid1443459\charrsid5797233 mutual }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid8132297\charrsid5797233 consent rather than coming back to the court. If at the end of two week}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid8469882\charrsid5797233 s}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid8132297\charrsid5797233 the sum of 225,000 dollars is not paid to the court then the conditional leave }{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 will be discharged}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid8469882\charrsid5797233 ,}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 the previous orders will be revived and the Plaintiffs will be free to go ahead with the}{ \b0\f0\fs24\insrsid8469882\charrsid5797233 respective }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 execution of their
judgment/order.}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid3935805\charrsid5797233 \par }{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 \par Cost of this Application to be paid by the Defendants to the Plaintiff.}{\b0\f0\fs24\insrsid15032037\charrsid5797233 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5797233 {\f0\fs24\insrsid15032037\charrsid5797233 \par \par \par }{\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 Anup Singh Choudry \par Judge}{\f0\fs24\insrsid8469882\charrsid5797233 \par }{\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 21/1}{\f0\fs24\insrsid8469882\charrsid5797233 0}{\f0\fs24\insrsid16085821\charrsid5797233 /2008 \par }}
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