(L-R): HW Hatanga (Deputy Registrar), Hon. Justice Mubiru (Head Commercial Court), Mr. Oundo (ULS President) and Mr Moses Okwalinga Opolot (Chief Executive Officer, ULS)
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) President, Mr Bernard Oundo, together with the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Moses Okwalinga Opolot on Tuesday February 14, 2023 paid a courtesy call on Justice Stephen Mubiru, the head of the Commercial Court in his chambers.
The purpose of the visit was to discuss how best the Court can partner with ULS in order to promote best practices that will facilitate speedy dispensation of justice. This was in preparation for the planned Bar-Bench meeting.
Hon. Justice Mubiru noted the need for data capturing, analysis and reporting, if cases are to be handled appropriately, in a timely manner. "We have started on case clustering, whereby cases will be analyzed and handled according to their respective categories in a specific period of time," he said.
"Of recent, I have observed that there are businesses struggling to pay back especially those that had borrowed money before the pandemic. Insolvency practice is an area to focus on and use the law to support businesses that are struggling", he said. Adding that there is need to encourage Mediation where necessary.
HW Juliet Harty Hatanga shared that the Court had embarked on a data cleaning exercise which is expected to be completed by the end of March. Once complete, the Division will be able to ascertain the exact number of pending cases and then session-based hearings will begin.
According to HW Hatanga, decision making will become easy for judicial officers because each of them will be handling a specific case category on a quarterly basis.
The ULS President stressed the need for practical training and skilling of young lawyers in real court room practice. He proposed that an appropriate schedule to follow be drawn, especially during sessions.
Mr Oundo requested the Commercial Court administration to support lawyers with best practices of the law so that they develop their confidence whenever they appear before judicial officers.
The ULS CEO, commended the Division's initiative to engage advocates, saying that this is one way of improving relations between the bar and the bench. He said this will help in dealing with issues affecting justice delivery.
Posted 14th, February 2023
