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Uganda Judgment

High Court of Uganda

Wekesa John Patrick v Attorney General (High Court Civil Suit No. 130 of 2008) (High Court Civil Suit No. 130 of 2008) [2008] UGHC 50 (4 November 2008)

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01

Holding and result

The court held that the statutory notice served on the Attorney General, though lacking in detail regarding punitive damages and particulars of negligence, was sufficient to inform the defendant of the nature of the claim. The purpose of the notice is to enable the defendant to investigate the claim, and the information provided was adequate for this purpose. The omission to particularize negligence in the notice was not fatal. On the second objection, the court found that the plaint disclosed a reasonable cause of action by stating the plaintiff's employment, the circumstances of the injury, and the alleged negligence of the defendant's servants. The court emphasized that at this stage, it is not necessary to determine the merits of the claim, only that the plaint presents facts that, if true, would entitle the plaintiff to relief. Both preliminary objections were therefore rejected.

Court disposition

Both preliminary objections dismissed. Plaintiff and defendant granted time to amend pleadings if desired. Costs to abide the outcome of the suit.

Orders

  • Both preliminary objections are disallowed.
  • Plaintiff granted seven days from delivery of ruling to adjust pleadings if desired.
  • Defendant granted seven days after service to adjust pleadings if desired.
  • Case fixed for scheduling conference on 8/12/2008 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Costs to abide the outcome of the suit.

02

Material facts

Parties

Wekesa John Patrick

Plaintiff Counsel: Mr. Kikwe Allan

Attorney General

Defendant Counsel: Mr. Bafilawala Elisha

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Civil Suit / Ruling on Preliminary Objections

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Party arguments

Applicant
The defendant argued that the suit is bad in law because the plaintiff did not serve the Attorney General with the mandatory statutory notice and that the plaint does not disclose a cause of action. Specifically, the statutory notice did not mention punitive damages or negligence, which are pleaded in the plaint. The defendant also contended that the plaint fails to plead the Attorney General's vicarious liability and the capacity in which he is sued, as required for suits against the government.
Respondent
The plaintiff argued that the Attorney General was adequately notified by the statutory notice dated 25/3/08, which stated the claim for special and general damages for injuries sustained in the course of employment. The plaintiff maintained that the defendant was aware of the claim and that the particulars of negligence, though not in the notice, are sufficiently set out in the plaint. The plaintiff also asserted that the plaint discloses a cause of action by stating the facts, the right violated, and the basis for holding the defendant liable.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Order 7 Rule 1(e) of the Civil Procedure Rules; equity maxim

    A statutory notice to the Attorney General must sufficiently inform the defendant of the claim, but failure to include all particulars is not fatal if the intent is clear.

  2. 02

    Auto Garage & Others vs. Motokov (No. 3) [1971] EA 514; Halsbury's Laws of England, 4th Edition, Vol. 37, p. 24

    A plaint must disclose a cause of action by showing the plaintiff enjoyed a right, that the right was violated, and that the defendant is liable.

  3. 03

    Jeraj Shariff & Co. vs. Chotal Fancy Stores [1960] EA 374 at 375

    Whether a plaint discloses a cause of action is determined by perusal of the plaint and attachments, assuming the facts pleaded are true.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The court held that the statutory notice served on the Attorney General, though lacking in detail regarding punitive damages and particulars of negligence, was sufficient to inform the defendant of the nature of the claim. The purpose of the notice is to enable the defendant to investigate the claim, and the information provided was adequate for this purpose. The omission to particularize negligence in the notice was not fatal. On the second objection, the court found that the plaint disclosed a reasonable cause of action by stating the plaintiff's employment, the circumstances of the injury, and the alleged negligence of the defendant's servants. The court emphasized that at this stage, it is not necessary to determine the merits of the claim, only that the plaint presents facts that, if true, would entitle the plaintiff to relief. Both preliminary objections were therefore rejected.

Obiter and limits

  • Equity looks to the intent rather than the form, so technical omissions in the statutory notice do not necessarily defeat a claim.
  • Any omission or defect in the plaint may be put right by amendment, if the plaintiff so chooses.
  • The decision as to the merits of the defence can only be made after hearing the parties to the suit.

Court disposition

Both preliminary objections dismissed. Plaintiff and defendant granted time to amend pleadings if desired. Costs to abide the outcome of the suit.

  • Both preliminary objections are disallowed.
  • Plaintiff granted seven days from delivery of ruling to adjust pleadings if desired.
  • Defendant granted seven days after service to adjust pleadings if desired.
  • Case fixed for scheduling conference on 8/12/2008 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Costs to abide the outcome of the suit.

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High Court of Uganda

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High Court of Uganda

Judgment

[2008] UGHC 50

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OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \line HCT-OO-CV-CS-0130-2008 \line WEKESA JOHN }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109\charrsid13138285 PATRICK::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: PLAINTIF}{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \line VERSUS \line ATTORNEY }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109\charrsid13138285 GENERAL:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: DEFENDANT}{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 BEFORE: }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE YOROKAMU BAMWINE \line }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109

\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid869109 {\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 RULING: }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 When this suit came up for a scheduli}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 ng conference on 22/10/08, Mr. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Bafilawala Elisha for the defendant raised two distinct points of law. \line He argued: \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }\pard \s15\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid869109 {\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid869109 1.}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \tab }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid869109 That the suit is bad in law in that the plaintiff while i nstituting the suit never served the Attorney General with the Mandatory Statutory Notice. \line }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109\charrsid869109 \par

}{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid869109 2. }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109\charrsid869109 \tab }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid869109 That the plaint does not disclose a cause of action.}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid869109 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid869109 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 As regards the first objection, he contended that under paragraph 3 of the plaint, the plaintiff states tha t the claim against the defendant is for general and punitive damages as compensation for injuries sustained while in the course of employment and as a result of the negligence of the defendant whereas in the Statutory Notice, annexture E to the plaint, t h e plaintiff put the defendant on notice that he would only be seeking general and special damages arising out of disability caused while in the course of his employment. The implication is that the prayer for punitive damages and the averment as to neglig ence in the plaint are a departure from the Statutory Notice in the sense that the two are not mentioned therein. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285

Learned Counsel for the plaintiff, Mr. Wamukota, does not agree. According to him, the defendant was informed about the matter in a Notice dat ed 25/3/08. Under this Notice the plaintiff said that he would be praying for special and general damages in respect of injuries sustained by the plaintiff in the course of his employment. And this is what appears in paragraph 3 of the plaint. That the de fendant by that notice was aware that the plaintiff sustained inj}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 uries resulting in the suit. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \par I have addressed my mind to the arguments of Counsel. The plaintiff is a Magistrate Grade I. As such, he is an employee of the Government of Uganda. From the p leadings, on 06/07/2007 he was attacked by a vicious litigant. He was visiting locus in quo of a land dispute in Pallisa District. As a result of the attack, he sustained injuries for which he now seeks compensation from the defendant. \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 I would agree with the submission of learned Counsel for the plaintiff that what was important in a case such as this was for the defendant to know that the plaintiff was his employee and that he was injured in the course of his employment. To this extent the

defendant was informed. As to the particulars of the negligence, these appear in the plaint. Failure to particularize them in the Notice was in my view not fatal to the plaintiff\rquote s claim. I am saying so because if the purpose of the notice to the defendant is for him to investigate the claim, and I believe that to be the case, what is contained in the notice gave the defendant herein adequate notice as to what the plaintiff would be seeking. The notice could of course have been a little more detailed. However, failure to do so would not vitiate his claim. I would therefore think that since equity looks to the intent rather than the form, the objection lacks merit. It ought}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 to be rejected and I do so. \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \par As to the second objection, learned Counsel for the defendant contend ed that under paragraph 5 of the plaint, the plaintiff states that the deft is vicariously liable to compensate him under the Employment Act and in negligence for the disability he sustained following the attack. Counsel submitted that suits against the A t torney General must contain a statement indicating how the Attorney General is vicariously liable; that it is important to plead the capacity in which the Attorney General is being sued and state how the policemen were acting in

the course of employment. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 I have also addressed my mind to this issue. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 In paragraph 2 of the plaint, the plaintiff states that }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \'93 The defendant is the Attorney General of Uganda with the capacity to sue or be sued.\'94 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 He does not state that he is being sued in his representative capac ity. I am surprised that learned Counsel for the plaintiff does not see this omission in the plaint. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Be that as it may, in paragraph 3 of the plaint the plaintiff states the circumstances in which the suit is brought. He states that the compensation sought in the suit is }{ \b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \'93for injuries sustained while in the course of employment and as a result of negligence of the defendant.\'94 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 He then sets out the facts, the cause of action and how it arose and the

particulars of negligence. Among them is that the defen dant failed to provide adequate personnel to the plaintiff. I am of the view that this is adequate notice to the defendant that injury was as a result of inadequate security. Whether or not this renders the defendant liable is a matter to be determined on evidence. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 It is trite that a cause of action means the fact or a combination of facts which gives rise to a right of action. }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 Hal}{ \b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 sbury\rquote s Laws of England, }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid869109 4}{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid869109 th}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Edition }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 (Re-issue). Vol. 37 at p. 24 explains }{ \b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \lquote cause of action\rquote }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 in those words: \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }\pard \s15\ql

\li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid869109 {\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \'93Cause of action. \lquote Cause of action\rquote }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 has been defined as meaning simply a factual situation the existence of which entitles one person to obtain from the court a remedy against another person. The phrase has been held from the earliest time to include every fact which is ma terial to be proved to entitle the claimant to succeed, and every fact which the defendant would have a right to traverse. }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \lquote cause of action\rquote }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 has also been taken to mean the particular act on the part of the defendant which gives the claimant his cause of complaint, or the subject matter or grievance founding the claim, not merely the technical cause of action.\'94 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid869109 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 It is such an important aspect of our law that 0.6 r.1 (a)

requires all pleadings, generally, to contain a brief statement of the material fact s on which the party pleading relies for claim or defence. Under 0.7 r.1 (e), the plaint must contain the facts constituting the cause of action and when it arose. The consequences of non-compliance are grave. They are set out in 0.7 r.11. Under this Rule , a plaint which discloses no cause of action must be rejected by court. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par I}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 t is, in my view, settled law that the question whether or not a plaint discloses a cause of action must be determined upon perusal of the plaint alone, together with anything attach ed as to form part of it, and upon the assumption that any express or implied allegations of fact in it are true: }{\b\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Jeraj Shariff & Co. }{ \b\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109\charrsid13138285 vs.}{\b\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Chotal Fancy Stores f19607 EA 374 at 375. }{ \b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \line }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 I have had a look at the plaint. In paragraph 4 thereof, the plaintiff state s

that he is an employee of Government in the capacity of a Magistrate; that while visiting locus in quo on 06/07/2007 and in the course of his employment, he was attack}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 ed by one of the parties who }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 nearly killed him. As a result of that attack, he suff ered and/or sustained serious injuries. He has set out in the plaint the alleged particulars of negligence to include failure to provide adequate security to the plaintiff while in the course of his employment and police personnel keeping a distance of 40 metres away while the plaintiff was being injured: and the refusal and failure to arrest and disarm the assailant by the police. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 In }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Auto Garage & Others }{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109\charrsid13138285 vs.}{ \b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Motokov (No. 3) (19711 EA 514, }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Spry V. P. summarized the test to be applied in determining whether or not a plaint has disclosed a cause of action. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par

}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 He said: \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid869109 {\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \'93 I would summarise the position as I see it by saying that if a plaint shows that the plaintiff enjoyed a right, that the right has been violated and the defendant is liable, then, in my opinion, a cause of action has been disclosed and any omission or defect may be put right by amendment. If on the other hand, any of those essentials is missing, no cause of action has been shown a}{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 nd no amendment is permissible.\'94}{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid869109 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Now the contents of paragraph 4 of the plaint purport to show, in my opinion, that the plaintiff enjoyed a right. And what was that right? The right to be protected by the police in the performance of his duty. He has pleaded

that the right was violated and that as a result of that vio l ation he sustained injury. He attributes the violation to the servants of the defendant. The defendant denies it and says that the plaintiff consented to the injury. It is not necessary at this stage to consider whether the plaintiff would succeed. The pl a intiff has only to present such facts as would satisfy court that the plaint discloses a reasonable cause of action. The points raised by Mr. Bafilawala respectfully relate to the merits of the defence. The decision as to merits can only be made after hea r ing the parties to the suit. Accordingly, the attacker may not have been an employee of the defendant but the policeman who allegedly stood by as the attacker caused harm to the plaintiff were in the view of the plaintiff acting in the course of their emp l oyment. He has demonstrated that he had a right, that the right was violated and the reasons for holding the defendant liable for the violation. The plaint in my view discloses a reasonable cause of action. Any omission or defeat may be put right by amend ment, if the plaintiff so chooses. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid869109 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 I would also }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 reject the second objection. \line

}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \par In the result, both objections are disallowed. The plaintiff will have seven (7) days from the delivery of this ruling to adjust his pleadings, should he desire to do so. The defendant shall also have the same amount of time after being served to do so, should he so desire. The case is fixed for a scheduling conference on 8/12}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 /2008 at 10.00 a.m. Costs herein shall}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 abide the outcome of the suit. Orders accordingly. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 Yorokamu}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 B}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 amwine }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 \line JUDGE \line O5/11/O8 \line \par 5/11/08}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Mr. Kikwe Allan for plaintiff \line Mr. Bafilawala for defendant \line Plaintiff present. \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Court: \line

}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 Ruling delivered. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 Yorokam}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 u Bamwine }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid7494637 JUDGE}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \line 5/11/08 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \par \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid869109 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8652684\charrsid13138285 \par }}

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Authorities

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Auto Garage & Others vs. Motokov (No. 3) [1971] EA 514

Case cited

Jeraj Shariff & Co. vs. Chotal Fancy Stores [1960] EA 374 at 375

Case cited

Order 6 Rule 1(a) Civil Procedure Rules

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

Order 7 Rule 1(e) Civil Procedure Rules

Legislation

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Order 7 Rule 11 Civil Procedure Rules

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

Employment Act

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