Earlier, Justice Dr. Emmanuel Baguma, the Deputy Head of the Civil Division, engaged with 71 Bar students from the Law Development Centre (LDC) at the Civil Division, Twed Towers in Kampala.
The purpose of the interaction was to deepen the students' understanding of the civil legal processes and procedures.
It featured both physical and online attendance of the students.
Justice Dr. Baguma outlined the types of cases handled by the Civil Division, including election petitions, judicial review, enforcement of human rights, ordinary civil suits, civil appeals, appeals from Registrars, company causes, bankruptcies, and Mediation, among others.
He also highlighted the approach to fighting case backlog under Alternative Dispute Resolution, where Judges at the Division handle the mediation of cases.
Justice Boniface Wamala guided the students through various processes, procedures, and documentation requirements for filing cases at the Division.
He elaborated on the grounds for filing cases, focusing on election petitions, enforcement of human rights, judicial review, judicial revisions, and constitutional interpretation.
Justice Wamala also explained the remedies available in civil cases and discussed the importance of filing cases in the correct jurisdiction and the prosecution of enforcement actions.
He emphasized the principles of specialized practice in civil litigation, discussing its importance for increased productivity, effective resource use, innovation, technological advancement, and competitive advantage. He advised students to focus on areas of interest through training, study, and practical experience.
Justice Wamala also talked about the Electronic Court Case Management Information System, highlighting its flexibility that allows parties to file cases online anytime.
Justice Dr. Douglas Singiza Karekona spoke about mastering the theory of a case, urging students to understand the underlying principles of democracy in election petitions. He highlighted key determinants such as freedom of expression, voting rights, and the importance of free and fair elections, among others.
Leading the students, Ms. Pikisa Christine Peace, Senior Legal Officer at the Legal Aid Clinic, thanked the Judges for the interaction, noting it was highly informative. She added that the students had gained more knowledge and confidence in civil procedure.
Students asked questions concerning records of proceedings, distinctions between irrationality, irregularity, and illegality, recusal of judicial officers, and issues related to constitutional petitions, among others.
They also discussed the role and powers of the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the political doctrine in human rights enforcement.
Posted 19th, June 2024
