SMALL CLAIMS PROCEDURE & AND AREAS FOR REFORM IN THE RULES
Abstract
Uganda is one of the many countries where the Judiciary is alleged among other
things of giving justice to the rich, allegations of delayed justice, applying
complicated and lengthy trial procedures which are not friendly to the common
citizens. The majority of Ugandans are in the category of poor persons, many
are not sensitized on the legal regime and others are completely illiterate. With
all these challenges, a study was conducted to find out how best this image can
be changed in the eyes of the public. This led to the innovation of Small Claims
Procedure (SCP) now commonly known as the “People’s Court” in a bid to
address some of these concerns.
Small Claims Procedure is governed the Judicature (Small Claims Procedure)
Rules1 which were made by the Rules Committee on the 5th of May 2011 in the
exercise of the powers conferred upon it under Section 41 of the Judicature Act2.
The Rules came into force on the 30th of May 2011. As at 02nd September, 2021,
this procedure had been rolled out in 142 Courts within Uganda.