- WHAT IS A SMALL CLAIM Procedure?
Small Claims Procedure (SCP) is a civil claim whose subject matter value does not exceed Ug.Shs.10,000,000. For example, the small claims procedure (SCP) can be used for matters arising out of the supply of goods, debts and rent.
- WHAT IS THE JURISDICTION OF THE SCP COURT?
The small claims procedure is applicable to claims not exceeding Ug.Shs.10,000,000 in value.
Every suit shall be instituted in a court in whose jurisdiction the cause of action wholly or in part arises.
In case of a rental dispute or claim, a small claim is instituted in a court in whose jurisdiction the property is situated or where the defendant resides.
- WHAT MATTERS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE JURISDICTION OF THE SCP COURT?
Claims exceeding Ug.Shs.10,000,000.
Claims against the Government.
Family disputes relating to the management of an estate.
Contracts of service and contracts for service.
Suits for defamation, wrongful arrest, wrongful imprisonment, malicious prosecution and seduction.
Petitions for divorce, nullification of marriage or separation of spouses.
Claims concerning the validity of a will.
A claim in which specific performance is sought without an alternative claim for payment of damages, except in the case of a claim for rendering an account or transferring movable property and disputes arising out of tenancy agreements not exceeding Ug.Shs.10,000,000 in value.
- WHO MAY INSTITUTE A CLAIM
According to the SCP rules only a natural person may institute an action in court, but a body corporate may become a party to an action as a defendant.
- AGAINST WHOM MAY A CLAIM BE INSTITUTED?
A suit is instituted against a natural person or a body corporate.
- WHAT AMOUNT CAN BE CLAIMED?
Any amount not exceeding Ug.Shs.10,000,000 in value, you can institute a claim for a lesser amount in order to pursue your case under the small claims procedure.
- IS ONE COMPLETED TO INSTITUTE A CLAIM IN THE SCP COURT?
No, you have a choice to institute your claim in the SCP court or in any other competent court. However, bringing your claim to the general court will take more time since the procedures are more complicated than in the SCP court and you will probably have to hire an advocate to assist you.
- IS LEGAL REPRESENTATION ALLOWED?
No, legal representation by an advocate is not allowed under SCP. However, at your own cost, you may obtain legal advice from an advocate before using the Small Claims Procedure.
Clerks of the court will assist you free of charge.
- HOW DO YOU INSTITUTE A CLAIM?
Contact the opposing party (the person against whom you are instituting a claim) with a request to satisfy your claim. This may be done through a face-to-face verbal demand or a telephone call.
If the opposing party does not comply with your verbal request, address the written demand to him or her, setting out the particulars of the fact on which your claim is based, and the amount of the claim in accordance with schedule 1 of the SCP rules.
Deliver the demand notice by hand to the opposing party.
If after 14 days the opposing party does not respond to the demand notice, report in person to the clerk of the Small Claims Procedure at your local court, with your proof that the demand notice was delivered to the opposing party.
Take along any contract, document or other proof upon which your claim is based or that has a bearing on your claim.
Take the full name and address 9home and business address if known) and telephone contacts of the opposing party.
- WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE CLERK OF THE COURT?
S/he will help you fill the claim form under schedule 2 and will prepare the summons according to schedule.
S/he will inform you of the hearing date.
S/he will endorse the claim form and summons and hand them over to you for service on the opposing party.
- WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE CLAIM FORM OR SUMMONS?
Serve a copy to the opposing party either by yourself or by paying a fee to the recognized court process server who will serve the summons.
Be sure to obtain an acknowledgment of receipt of the claim form and summons by the opposing party (if you serve it yourself), or obtain a copy of the written proof of service by the recognised court process server and file an affidavit of service under schedule 3 within 7 days of service.
- WHAT CAN THE OPPOSING PARTY DO AFTER RECEIPT OF THE SUMMONS?
S/he may satisfy the claim directly to the claimant and the claimant should report this to court.
S/he may deliver a written statement of defence containing the nature of his/her defence and particulars of the grounds on which it is based, to the clerk of the court and send a copy to the claimant.
S/he may institute a counter-claim by delivering a written statement of defence and counter-claim as specified in Schedule 5 containing the nature of his/her defence and particulars of the counter-claim to the court clerk.
S/he must prepare to attend the court hearing whether or not a counter-claim has been filed.
- WHAT DO YOU DO IF THE OPPOSING PARTY HAS SATISFIED YOUR CLAIM?
Give him or her a receipt or acknowledgment of receipt.
Immediately inform the court clerk that your claim has been satisfied and that you will no longer proceed with the case.
File a copy of the receipt to the court clerk.
- WHO IS THE PRESIDING OFFICER?
The presiding officer in a Small Claims Procedure may be a Judge, Chief Magistrate, or Magistrate Grade I.
- IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN THE SCP COURT?
A judicial officer shall, in any appropriate case, refer the parties to mediation, arbitration, or another form of alternative dispute resolution within 14 days before the hearing of a case.
Where the parties reach an agreement the judicial officer records a consent judgment.
The judicial officer is the one to decide on the suitability of the case for alternative dispute resolution and will give directions.
An agreement reached on alternative dispute resolution shall be signed by both parties and endorsed by the court as a consent judgment. It shall then be binding on both parties.
When parties fail to settle the case through alternative dispute resolution, the matter will be heard by the judicial officer.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON THE APPOINTED DATE AND TIME OF THE HEARING?
You must appear in court in person.
Bring with you all the documents and exhibits upon which your claim or written statement of defence is based.
Ensure that any witnesses or witnesses in support of your case are present in court.
Bring your written proof that the opposing party was served the summons, written statement of defence, or counterclaim.
- WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURAL STEPS AT THE HEARING?
Procedures are informal and simple.
No advocate or lawyer may appear on your behalf.
State your case as clearly and consistently as possible, when the judicial officer asks you to do so.
Submit all your exhibits when you present your case.
Answer all the questions that the judicial officer asks.
Cross-examination is not allowed. It is only the judicial officer who may inquire into any aspect of the evidence that has been brought in court.
Listen attentively to the other party’s explanations. When s/he finished talking, bring any facts which you believe were not presented correctly to the judicial officer’s attention.
After the judicial officer has heard from you, the opposing power and any witnesses present will pass judgment specified in schedule 7 of the Small Claims Procedure rules immediately after the hearing or within 14 days after hearing the case.
- IS THE JUDGMENT FINAL?
The judgment of the court is final and cannot be appealed against.
However, an aggrieved party may apply for a review on grounds of discovery of new and important matters, clerical errors, fraud or mistakes.
The application for review must be brought within one year from the date of the discovery of new and important matters.
If the judgment is against you, abide by the decision of the court and fulfil any orders against you.
If the judgment-debtor should immediately pay you the amount of the judgment. If s/he does so, give him or her a receipt for the amount immediately.
If the unsuccessful party cannot comply with the judgment immediately, ask the court to prepare a schedule for payments in installments.
- HOW CAN THE JUDGMENT BE ENFORCED?
When the judgment debtor fails to pay you as ordered, you may enforce the judgment against him or her.
Ask the court clerk or legal assistant to explain to you the procedure for execution in the general court.
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