Nitin Jayant Madhvani v EastAfrica Holdings & 5 others [1993] UGSC 20 (9 December 1993)

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang2057\deflangfe2057{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f249\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;} {\f250\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f252\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f253\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f254\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);} {\f255\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f256\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f257\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255; \red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0; \red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 \styrsid13257118 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{ \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 \styrsid13257118 Normal (Web);}{\s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 \styrsid13257118 footer;}{\*\cs17 \additive \sbasedon10 \styrsid13257118 page number;}} {\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid3178457\rsid6754722\rsid13257118\rsid16009061}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title IN THE SUPREME COURT OF UGANDA}{\author jchemeri}{\operator skivumbi} {\creatim\yr2009\mo12\dy2\hr14\min16}{\revtim\yr2009\mo12\dy2\hr14\min16}{\version2}{\edmins2}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords602}{\nofchars3433}{\nofcharsws4027}{\vern24689}} \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct \asianbrkrule\rsidroot13257118\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid13257118 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid13257118 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid13257118 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid13257118 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxr\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16009061 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs17\insrsid13257118 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid3178457 1}}}{\cs17\insrsid13257118 \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri360\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13257118 {\insrsid13257118 \par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\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 \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1 \widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13257118 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid13257118\charrsid13257118 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF UGANDA \par AT MENGO \line (CORAM: MANYINDO, D. C. J., ODOKI, J. S. C., PLATT, J. S. C.) \par CIVIL APPEAL NO. 14 OF 1993 \line BETWEEN \line NITIN JAYANT MADHVANI : :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: APPELLANT \line AND \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13257118 {\b\insrsid13257118\charrsid13257118 1. EAST AFRICA HOLDINGS LTD \line 2. EMCO LIMITED \line 3. PRATAPBHAI M. MADHVANI \line 4. MANUBHAI M. MADHVANI ::::::::}{\b\insrsid13257118 ::::::::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid13257118\charrsid13257118 :::::::::::::RESPONDENTS \line 5. MAYUR M. MADHVANI \line 6. SURENDRA N. MADHVANI \line \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13257118 {\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 (Appeal from the ruling of the \line High Court of Uganda at Kampala \line (Mrs. C. K. Byamugisha) dated the \line 16th day of June, 1992 in Civil \line Suit No, 1181 of 1988). \line }{\insrsid13257118 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13257118 {\b\ul\insrsid13257118\charrsid13257118 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT.}{\ul\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 }{ \insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 \line This is an appeal against the decision of a trial Judge in the High Court, disallowing an adjournment and dismissing the suit. \line We agree with both Counsel that this was a matter within the Judge\rquote s discretion. As such this Court would be slow to interfere unless the discretion was not exercised judicially. (MAXWELL }{\ul\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 v. KEEN }{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 (1928)}{\insrsid13257118 1KB 645, at p. 653 from AJKIN LJ}{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 .). \line The salient facts were that on the date set down for hearing Counsel for the Plaintiff informed the Court that due to fundamental disagreements with the Plaintiff, Counse l would be obliged to withdraw. The Plaintiff then said:}{\insrsid13257118 \par }{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 \'93These developments occurred very }{\insrsid13257118 late last}{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 }{\insrsid13257118 night}{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 ; I seek }{\insrsid13257118 Court}{ \insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 \rquote s }{\insrsid13257118 indulgence to seek the services of another counsel. It is a complicated case which has a multitude of legal issues.\'94 \par The defendants objected that is was an old case. It was poor argument. The plaintiff\rquote s case was not complicated. All the defendants were there and some had traveled from London and New York. There would be great expense. Counsel ended by praying that the adjournment shoul d be refused and the case ordered to proceed or be dismissed with costs. \par The learned judge did not heed that prayer. The judge refused that adjournment and forthwith dismissed the case. That has aggrieved the plaintiff had he has appealed. \par It is clear that the main ground of appeal has been made out. The plaintiff ought to have been asked to proceed with the case if the adjournment was refused. It is being said that since the case was complicated, as the plaintiff, then it must be implied that he could not proceed. No such implication can be drawn. The plaintiff has the right to reply to the facts and states how he would proceed. In fact a short adjournment within a week could not have prejudiced the defendants on payment of all the costs. \par }{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 It is then said that the Plaintiff\rquote s conduct debarred him from the Courts indulgence.}{\insrsid13257118 The learned Judge dwelt on the absence of Prof. Sempeb}{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 wa and it does appear from the record that the Plaintiff had wanted the Professor to appear for him. But the Professor never }{\insrsid13257118 appeared. There were some }{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 interlocutory matters between 1988 and 1992. A perusal of the record does not show that all the blame fell upon the Plaintiff. The Defendants took proceedings for further and better particulars at the last moment in November, 1991 after th e date for hearing had been fixed in January, 1992. These proceedings were completed in May 1992. The hearing was set down for June 1992. No point can be taken against the Plaintiff in particular from the proceedings. \line }{\insrsid13257118 \par }{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 Finally, it is said that the agreements upon which the suit was based, came to an end in September 1992. But although not all the remedies prayed for are open to the Plaintiff, others may still be pursued. \line In the end, it is clear that the plaintiff was shut out from the judgment seat, witho ut proper considerations. The discretion was not exercised judicially. The appeal will, therefore, be allowed, the judgment and orders of the High Court set aside, and the case re-instated for hearing before another Judge of the High Court. The costs of t his appeal will be awarded to the Plaintiff and the costs of the proceedings in the High Court so far, will abide by the results of the suit. \line }{\insrsid13257118 \par }{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 Delivered in this Court this 10th }{\insrsid13257118 day of December, 1993 at Mengo}{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 \line }{\insrsid13257118 \par }{\ul\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 S. T. MANYINDO }{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 \line DEPUTY CHIEF JUSTICE \line }{\insrsid13257118 \par }{\ul\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 J. B. ODOKI }{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 \line JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \line }{\insrsid13257118 \par }{\ul\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 H. G. PLATT }{\insrsid13257118\charrsid6754722 \line JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \line }{\insrsid13257118 \par }}