The case of Al shafi Investment Group LLC versus Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Ors HCMA 130/2021 (Commercial Court)
The Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda has re-affirmed, in the above case, the long settled principle that all court summonses must be served within 21 days, failure whereof one ought to apply for a renewal of the summonses within 15 days upon expiry of the 21 days.
In the case cited above, court agreed with M/S Lawgic Advocates, Counsel for the 1st Respondent, that Order 5 rule 1 (2) must apply strictly, and that a default in adhering to it is not a mere technicality, but goes to the substance of the matter. There is no mechanical extension of time, and the court has no jurisdiction to acquiesce to a default by a party in serving a summons within the time stipulated under the law.