Security Group (U) Ltd v Doshi Hardware (U) Ltd (High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 476 of 2008) [2008] UGCommC 57 (21 September 2008)

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S NO 111 OF 2007) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285826 {\b\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14899990 {\b\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 SECURITY GROUP (U) LTD:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::APPLICANT \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285826 {\b\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par VERUS \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14899990 {\b\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 DOSHI HARDWARE (U) LTD:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::RESPONDENT \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285826 {\b\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285826 {\b\ul\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 BEFORE:\~ HON MR. JUSTICE ANUP SINGH CHOUDRY \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285826 {\b\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par \par RULING \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285826 {\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 This is an application brought by way of motion by the Applicants/Defendants to set as ide the wasted costs order made against Kasolo and Kiddu Advocates on 10}{\cf0\super\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 th}{\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 September 2008 for failing to turn up at the hearing when the case was listed for scheduling.

\par The application was ex-parte application, but the Counsel for the Plaintiff/Respondents Mr. Peters Musoke also appeared in the court. \par \par On 10}{\cf0\super\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 th}{\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 September the firm Kasolo and Kiddu were represented by Mr. Moses Ibale who was holding brief as the Counsel in-charge of the case Mr. Magellan Kazibwe was not able to appear as the court was informed that he was indisposed of. \par \par I therefore stood over the case until 11 O\rquote clock for Counsel to appear unless Mr. Moses Ibale was able to proceed which he ought to have done as it was merely a scheduling conference. There was no reason why he could have not proceeded if Mr. Magellan Kazibwe was not able to turn up}{\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 .}{\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 }{\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 Both}{\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 Counsel}{\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 s }{\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 came from the same Chambers. }{\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par }{\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par I therefore made a wasted costs order against the firm although I was minded to make order against the lawyer himself in the sum of 200,000 shillings which I assessed as being the reasonable amount. The order was made to ensure that the litigant or the p} {\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 arties}{\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 did not have to foot the bill in the end because of the wasted cost. \par \par This application has come here today for wasted costs order to be set aside and it has been supported by the affidavit by Moses Ibale. Mr. Magellan Kazibwe has appeared to make the application. \par \par Mr. Kazibwe stated that he was indisposed of and that he had acted with all the due diligence to come to the court and had just managed to appear after 11 O\rquote clock by which time the order had been made. \par He also mentioned that there was traffic jam and that the previous night he had instructed his colleague Moses Ibale to appear on his behalf to apply for adjournment. Mr. Peters Musoke for t he Respondent pointed out that there was no affidavit sworn by the applicant Mr. Kazibwe nor was there any medical evidence or report attached, so the reasons mentioned were hearsay. \par \par I have no reason to disagree with Mr. Peters Musoke and in any event, th is application must fail as it is not supported by any proper affidavit that should have been filed by Mr. Magellan Kazibwe. The affidavit should have given reasons providing medical evidence, the nature of sickness and why the disability or the sickness did not permit him to attend court. Nothing of that sort was adduced in evidence before this court; moreover this was a scheduling conference and it could have easily been substituted by any other members in the firm or Chambers. \par \par The evidence in support of this application simply does not hold and the court has a duty to ensure that wasted costs are not passed on to the parties or Litigants. \par \par In the circumstances, this application is refused and there is an order for costs for today\rquote s hearing in the same of 50,000 shillings to be paid by the Applicant}{\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 Mr. Kazibwe}{\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 to the Respondents. \~The said sum to be paid within 14 days.}{\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par \par Mr. Kazibwe also applied for leave to appeal which was refused on the grounds that there was no evidence before the court to support the application to set aside the order and hence no point of law to raise on appeal.}{ \cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par \par \par }{\b\cf0\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par ANUP SINGH CHOUDRY \par JUDGE \par 22/09/2008 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285826 {\insrsid4543114\charrsid11285826 \par }{\insrsid9588220\charrsid11285826 \par }}