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Uganda Judgment

Commercial Court of Uganda

Central Electrical International Ltd v Eastern Builders & Engineers Ltd (HCT-00-CC-MA 176 of 2008) [2008] UGCommC 47 (21 August 2008)

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Source document

01

Holding and result

The court held that for judgment on admission to be entered, the admission must be clear and unequivocal and made in the pleadings or otherwise in the suit before the court. The alleged admission relied upon by the Applicant was made in another suit (HCCS No. 856 of 2005) where the Applicant was not a party, and not in the present proceedings. Furthermore, the Respondent's written statement of defence in the present suit denies liability and asserts that payment is subject to terms and conditions which have not been satisfied. The court found that neither the pleadings nor any documents filed in the present suit show an unequivocal admission of the Applicant's claim by the Respondent. The existence of unresolved contractual conditions and the absence of a clear admission in the current suit preclude the entry of judgment on admission. The application was therefore dismissed with costs to the Respondent.

Court disposition

application dismissed

Orders

  • The application for judgment on admission is dismissed with costs to the Respondent.

02

Material facts

Parties

Central Electrical International Ltd

Applicant Counsel: Mr. Tendo Kabenge

Eastern Builders & Engineers Ltd

Respondent Counsel: Mr. Richard Obonyo

Amounts and remedies

  • Claimed Amount: USD 48,589.79

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Miscellaneous Application / Ruling

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Party arguments

Applicant
The Applicant contends that the Respondent admitted indebtedness of USD 48,589.79 to the Applicant in its pleadings in another case (HCCS No. 856 of 2005), specifically in paragraph 4(h), and that it is just and equitable for judgment on admission to be entered in favour of the Applicant. The Applicant relies on Order 13 rule 6 of the Civil Procedure Rules and sections 16-29 of the Evidence Act, arguing that the admission is clear and unequivocal and supports the claim for the outstanding sum.
Respondent
The Respondent argues that there is no admission of indebtedness in the pleadings of the present suit. It asserts that any liability to pay the Applicant is subject to prescribed terms and conditions which have not been satisfied, and that the Applicant's claim is premature and improper. The Respondent further contends that the alleged admission was made in another suit where the Applicant was not a party, and therefore cannot form the basis for judgment on admission in the present proceedings.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Order 13 rule 6 of the Civil Procedure Rules; Wright Kirke Vs North (1895) Ch 747

    Judgment on admission is discretionary and not a matter of right; admissions must be clear and unequivocal and made in the pleadings or otherwise in the suit before court.

  2. 02

    Sietco Vs Impregilo Salim J. V. HCCS No 980 of 1999

    Admissions made in pleadings of another suit where the applicant is not a party cannot form the basis for judgment on admission in the present suit.

  3. 03

    Eriaza Magala Vs Rev. Kefa Sempangi (1994) I KLAR 93

    The existence of unresolved issues or conditions precedent to payment prevents entry of judgment on admission.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The court held that for judgment on admission to be entered, the admission must be clear and unequivocal and made in the pleadings or otherwise in the suit before the court. The alleged admission relied upon by the Applicant was made in another suit (HCCS No. 856 of 2005) where the Applicant was not a party, and not in the present proceedings. Furthermore, the Respondent's written statement of defence in the present suit denies liability and asserts that payment is subject to terms and conditions which have not been satisfied. The court found that neither the pleadings nor any documents filed in the present suit show an unequivocal admission of the Applicant's claim by the Respondent. The existence of unresolved contractual conditions and the absence of a clear admission in the current suit preclude the entry of judgment on admission. The application was therefore dismissed with costs to the Respondent.

Obiter and limits

  • Judgment on admission is not automatic and must be exercised with judicial discretion, considering all circumstances of the case.
  • Admissions made in other proceedings cannot be imported into the present suit for purposes of judgment on admission.

Court disposition

application dismissed

  • The application for judgment on admission is dismissed with costs to the Respondent.

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.

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Judgment reading view

Judgment text

The complete available source text.

Source document

Commercial Court of Uganda

Judgment

[2008] UGCommC 47

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\par }{\b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid14812609\charrsid7867159 (Arising from HCT-00-CC-CS-0}{\b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid14812609 4}{\b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid2051218 3-}{ \b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid14812609 200}{\b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid2051218 8}{\b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid14812609\charrsid7867159 ) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14812609 {\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid14812609\charrsid7867159 \par \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 CENTRAL ELECTRICAL }{\f1\fs28\insrsid13046730 INTERNATIONAL}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 LTD}{\f1\fs28\insrsid13046730\charrsid4410407 \'85\'85.. APPLICANT }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609\charrsid4410407 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14812609 {\b\f1\fs28\insrsid13046730\charrsid7867159 VERSUS}{\b\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609\charrsid7867159 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14812609 {\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609\charrsid4410407 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid13046730 EASTERN BUILDERS & ENGINEERS LTD }{\f1\fs28\insrsid13046730\charrsid4410407 \'85\'85\'85 RESPONDENT }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609 \par

}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609\charrsid4410407 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14812609 {\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609 BEFORE HON.}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609\charrsid4410407 }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609 MR. JUSTICE LAMECK N. MUKASA \par \par }{\b\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609\charrsid7867159 RULING}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609 : \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14812609 {\f1\fs28\insrsid14812609 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid10385729\charrsid2776180 This }{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 is an application by }{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 Notice of Motion brought under O}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 rder 13 rule 6 of he Civil Procedure Rules and section}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 s}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 16- 29 of the Evidence Act whereby the Applicant, Central }{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223\charrsid2776180 Electrical}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 s}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 Inter national Ltd, who is the plaintiff in Civil Suit No 43 of 2008, is seeking for order}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 s}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 that:-}{\f1\fs28\insrsid6754790\charrsid2776180 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 \par

{\listtext\pard\plain\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 1.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 A judgment on admission be entered against the Respondent/Defendant in favour of the Applicant/Plaintiff for US$48,598.79.

\par {\listtext\pard\plain\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 2.\tab}Cost be provided for \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid7542753 \par \par \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180\charrsid2776180 The grounds of the application are that:-}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid817223 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 (a)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-495\li855\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx855\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin855\itap0\pararsid16524550 { \f1\fs28\insrsid817223 A}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 n admission of indebtedness to the Applicant/Plaintiff has been made by the Defendant/Respondent in its pleadings in another case vide their plaint in H. C. C. S. No. 856 of 2005. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2776180 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 (b)\tab}That }{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 it }{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 is just and equitable and in the interest of Justice that a judgment on admission be entered }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16524550 against}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 the Respondent/}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 }{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 Defendant. \par }\pard \qj

\li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 \par Representation was Mr. Tendo Kabenge for the Applicant and Mr. Richard Obonyo for the Respondent. \par \par The Application is supported by an affidavit deponed to by Za}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 h}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 ir Pre}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 m}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 ji, the Operations Manager of the Applicant. He therein avers that the Respondent/Defendant made an admission of indebtedness to the Applicant/Plaintiff in its pleadings in another case vide their plaint in paragraph 4 (}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 h}{ \f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 ) }{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 in H. C. C. S. No. 586 of 2005. }{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 T}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 he said plaint is Annexture A to the affidavit and in paragraph 4 (}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 h}{ \f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 ) it states:-}{\f1\fs28\insrsid2776180 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 \par }\pard \qj \li567\ri567\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin567\lin567\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 \'93 Under the sub-contract agreement referred to in paragraph 4(g) above, the Plaintiff agreed to pay consideration of USD79.086.13 (Seventy nine thousand eighty six United St ates Dollars thirteen cents) to M/S Central Electrical International. M/S Central

Electrical International Ltd executed the works in accordance with its sub-contract with the plaintiff and a sum of USD48,589.76 (Forty eight thousand five hindered eight y nine United States Dollars seventy cents) remains outstanding to it which }{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 the plaintiff claims from }{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 the Defendant by way of spe}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 cial}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 }{ \f1\fs28\insrsid817223 d}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 amages. A copy of M/s Central Electricals International Ltd}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 \rquote s}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 invoice in this regard is attached hereto and marked }{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 \lquote }{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 H}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 \rquote }{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 \'94. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 \par Order 13 rule 6 provides:- \par }\pard \qj \li567\ri567\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin567\lin567\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 \'936. }{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 Any party may at any sta}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 g}{\f1\fs28\insrsid3622168 e}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 of a suit, where an admission of facts has been made, either on the pleadings or otherwise, apply to the court for such judgment or order

a}{\f1\fs28\insrsid817223 s}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 upon the admission he or she }{\f1\fs28\insrsid3622168 may be entitled }{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 to, without waiting for the determination of any other question between the parties, and the court may upon the application make such order o}{\f1\fs28\insrsid3622168 r}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 give such judgement, as the court may think just.\'94 \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 The rule enables either party at any stage }{\f1\fs28\insrsid3622168 o}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 f the suit to apply for judgment on the admission which have been made by the other }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 party. However, a judgment on admission is not a matter of right but at the discretion of the Court. If a case involves questions which cannot be conveniently disposed of on a motion under this rule, the Court may in the exercise of its discretion, refuse the motion.}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12285088 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 \par In }{\i\f1\fs28\ul\insrsid14033247\charrsid3622168 Wright Kirke Vs North (1895) Ch 747}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 it was stated at page 50:- \par \par }\pard \qj \li567\ri567\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin567\lin567\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 \'93The

obtaining of such an order was not a matter of right, but was a mat}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 t}{ \f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 er for the exercise of a judicial discretion regard being had to all the circumstances of the case\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 \par The admission can be in pleadings or otherwise. But such admission must be clear and unequivocal. See }{\i\f1\fs28\ul\insrsid14033247\charrsid14033247 Eriaza Magala Vs Rev. Kefa Sempangi (1994) I KLAR 93}{\i\f1\fs28\ul\insrsid14033247 \par \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 The applicant contends, in paragraph}{\f1\fs28\insrsid3622168 s}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 4- 6 of }{\f1\fs28\insrsid4410090 the affidavit}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 in support that the Respondent}{\f1\fs28\insrsid3622168 \rquote s}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 pleading }{\f1\fs28\insrsid6902969 above is an admission which }{\f1\fs28\insrsid3622168 is }{\f1\fs28\insrsid6902969 unequivocal as a statement, docu}{\f1\fs28\insrsid3622168 mentary which proves that the A}{ \f1\fs28\insrsid6902969 pplicant executed the works to completion in accordance with its sub-contract with the Respon dent, the fact that the Respondent agreed to pay a consideration of USD 79,086.13 to the Applicant for works to be executed and the fact that the Respondent remains

indebted to the Applicant in }{\f1\fs28\insrsid3622168 the sum of USD 48,589.79}{ \f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid6902969 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid7545766 The Respondent filed an affidavit i n reply deponed to by its Managing Director Gurdial Sigh. The Respondent therein contends that it is not true that it admits the indebtedness. That in its Written Statement of defence the Respondent unequivocally stated that its liability to pay the App licant was subject to prescribed terms and conditions which have not been satisfied, and further that the Applicant}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 \rquote }{\f1\fs28\insrsid7545766 s claim against it is premature and improper. \par \par The admissions which are claimed to have been made by the Respondent are contained }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16083285 in}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7545766 the Respondent}{\f1\fs28\insrsid16083285 \rquote }{\f1\fs28\insrsid7545766 s plaint filed in H. C. C. S. No. 856 of 2005 where the parties were Eastern Builders and Engineers Ltd (Plaintiff) and Attorney General of Uganda (defendant). The instant suit was filed in February 20}{\f1\fs28\insrsid16083285 0}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7545766 8. The }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16083285 A}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7545766 pplicant is not a party to the suit wherein the alleged admission was made. My considered view is that the admission }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16262702 upon which judgment can be based

should be made either on the pleading or otherwise in the suit before court. I am }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16083285 strengthened }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16262702 in my view by the holding }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16083285 by }{ \f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 J}{\f1\fs28\insrsid16262702 ustice }{\i\f1\fs28\ul\insrsid16262702\charrsid16262702 CK Byamugisha in Sietco Vs Impregic}{\i\f1\fs28\ul\insrsid16083285 o}{\i\f1\fs28\ul\insrsid16262702\charrsid16262702 Salim J. V. HCCS No 980 of 1999 }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16262702 where she stated}{\f1\fs28\insrsid16083285 : }{\f1\fs28\insrsid12277031 \par \par }\pard \qj \li567\ri567\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin567\lin567\itap0\pararsid7542753 {\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 \'93I}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12277031 n the instant case the admissions which the defendant made are at an interlocutory stage and therefore satisfied the requirement of \lquote at any stage for the suit\rquote \'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16524550 {\f1\fs28\insrsid12277031 \par In the instant case the admissions upon which the Applicant based its application were not made at any stage of this suit but made in 2005 before the filing of this suit and in another suit. \par \par In paragraph 4 (iii) of the plaint in this suit the Applicant states that it executed the works and procured certificates

of completion for it in accordance with its sub-contract with the Respondent and that the sum of USD 48,589.79 remains outst}{ \f1\fs28\insrsid7542753 anding to the Applicant which }{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 it }{\f1\fs28\insrsid7542753 is}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12277031 seeking to recover. In its}{\f1\fs28\insrsid16262702 Written Statement of Defence the Respondent denies paragraph 4(iii) of the plaint and contends that the Respondent}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 \rquote }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16262702 s liability was subject to prescribed terms and conditions which have not been }{ \f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 satisfied}{\f1\fs28\insrsid16083285 . F}{\f1\fs28\insrsid16262702 urther that the Applicant}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 \rquote }{\f1\fs28\insrsid16262702 s claims is }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 premature}{\f1\fs28\insrsid16262702 and improper. The relationship}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 between the Applicant and the Respondent was governed by a sub contract annexture B to the Respondent\rquote s affidavit. That agreement spells out the terms and conditions upon which payment would bec}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 o}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 me due to the Applicant. Judgment can only be ente red in favour of the Applicant in respect of payment claimed if such payment was payable and due f}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7284674 r}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 om}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 Respondent. Neither the

pleadings or any of the documents filed by any of the parties in this suit shows an admission of the }{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 A}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 pplicant}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 \rquote }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 s claim by the Respondent. The defence raises the issue whether payment was due to the }{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 A}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 pplicant. Even i}{\f1\fs28\insrsid12277031 f}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 Court was to consider paragraph 4(h) of the Respondent}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 \rquote }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 s pleadings in HCCS No.856 of 2005, that pleading does not unequivocal}{\f1\fs28\insrsid7802907 ly}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 answer this issue.}{\f1\fs28\insrsid14033247 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid14828943 \par The application therefore fails and is dismissed with costs to the Respondent. \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid5968376 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5968376 {\f1\fs28\insrsid5968376 \par \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5968376 {\f1\fs28\insrsid5968376 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5968376 {\f1\fs28\insrsid5968376 Hon. Mr. Justice Lameck N. Mukasa \par }{\b\f1\fs28\insrsid5968376\charrsid5968376 Judge \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11666086 {\f1\fs28\insrsid5968376 22}{\f1\fs28\super\insrsid5968376\charrsid5968376 nd}{\f1\fs28\insrsid5968376 August, 2008}{\insrsid2776180 \par }}

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Authorities

Authorities used by the court

Cases, legislation, regulations, and constitutional provisions identified in the available record.

Wright Kirke Vs North (1895) Ch 747

Case cited

Eriaza Magala Vs Rev. Kefa Sempangi (1994) I KLAR 93

Case cited

Sietco Vs Impregilo Salim J. V. HCCS No 980 of 1999

Case cited

Order 13 rule 6 of the Civil Procedure Rules

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

Sections 16-29 of the Evidence Act

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