YABA CECILE ANICETTE MIAN vs. ROOTS HOTEL APARTMENTS OSU LIMITED [2017]DLHC3841

Date	2017-02-06
Suit No.	SUIT NO. IL/0151/16
Citation No.	[2017]DLHC3841

HER LADYSHIP JUSTICE GIFTY DEKYEM (MRS)

NITA STEELE ESQ FOR PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT

HELEN AMPONSAH ASARE ESQ HOLDING BRIEF OF ABENA NTRAKWA

MENSAH ESQ WITH SHIRLEY SOMUAH ESQ FOR DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT

[2017]DLHC3841
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >YABA CECILE ANICETTE
MIAN<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>ROOTS HOTEL APARTMENTS
OSU LIMITED<o:p></o:p>[HIGH COURT
(INDUSTRIAL/LABOUR DIVISION), ACCRA]<o:p></o:p>SUIT NO. IL/0151/16&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6TH FEBRUARY, 2017<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:<o:p></o:p>NITA STEELE ESQ FOR PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT <o:p></o:p>HELEN AMPONSAH ASARE ESQ HOLDING BRIEF OF ABENA NTRAKWA-MENSAH ESQ
WITH SHIRLEY SOMUAH ESQ FOR DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 31.0pt 1.0pt 31.0pt">

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

</div>RULING<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
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<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

</div>This ruling is in respect of motion on notice for judgment in
default of defence. At the date of the motion, Defendant/ Respondent had filed
its defence albeit out of time and without leave of the court. It was argued on
behalf of Plaintiff/Applicant that, the Respondent has no defence coupled with
the fact that, Respondent filed its defence without leave of the court; for
these reasons, it was urged on the court to grant the application. In
opposition Respondent deposed that, it has a reasonable defence and attached
copy of the statement of defence. Respondent also raised issue with Applicant’s
Counsel’s non endorsement on the writ of summons with her practicing
certificate number. I would like to deal with the practicing license issue
first.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The issue here is, whether or not it is a requirement to endorse
the writ of summons with the lawyer’s licence number as being suggested by
Respondent’s Counsel in opposing the motion. What is requested on the writ of
summons form, Form 1 under the Schedule of Forms in the High Court (Civil
Procedure) Rules 2004 (CI 47) is the “Address
Number and date of lawyer’s current licence.” It is therefore a requirement
that where a Plaintiff is represented by a lawyer, the latter must indicate on
the writ his or her address, number and date of current licence. Applicant’s
Counsel ought therefore to have endorsed the writ with her licence number and
date which she failed to do. This is to ensure that, any person who purports to
practice as a lawyer in Ghana is duly licensed so to do. Sections 2 and 8(1) of
Legal Profession Act, (Act 32) state as follows:<o:p></o:p>Section 2—Status of Lawyers.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Every person whose name is entered on the Roll to be kept under
this Part shall— <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;border:none;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;
mso-border-shadow:yes">(a). subject to section 8 of this Act, be entitled to practise as a
lawyer, whether as a barrister or solicitor or both, and to sue for and recover
his fees, charges and disbursements for services rendered as such, and<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;border:none;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;
mso-border-shadow:yes">(b). be an officer of the Courts, and<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;border:none;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;
mso-border-shadow:yes">(c).&nbsp; when acting as a lawyer, be subject to all such liabilities as
attach by law to a solicitor<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>