October 03, 2019 Court of Appeal - Judgments
Claim No. CA-007-2019
THE DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE COURTS
In the name of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL
BEFORE CHIEF JUSTICE ZAKI AZMI, DEPUTY CHIEF JUSTICE OMAR AL MUHAIRI AND JUSTICE SIR RICHARD FIELD
BETWEEN:
GRAND VALLEY GENERAL TRADING LLC
Appellant
and
(1) GGICO SUNTECK LIMITED
(2) SUNTECK LIFESTYLES LIMITED
Respondent
JUDGMENT
Hearing:18 September 2019
Counsel:Andrew Maguire instructed by Holman Fenwick Willan Middle East LLP for the Appellant.
Sophia Hurst instructed by Clyde & Co. for the Respondent.
Judgment: 18 September 2019
ORDER
UPON the Order of Chief Justice Zaki Azmi dated 3 July 2019 granting permission to appeal
AND UPON hearing Counsel for the Appellant and Counsel for the Respondent on 18 September 2019
AND UPON reading the submissions and evidence recorded in the Court file
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1.The Appeal is dismissed with costs. Reasons will follow.
2. The Appellant shall pay the Respondents Costs within 30 days of the issuance of this Order, the amount of which shall be assessed by a Registrar if not agreed by the parties
Issued by:
Nour Hineidi
Date of issue: 3 October 2019
At: 10am
JUDGMENT (WITHOUT REASONS)
CHIEF JUSTICE ZAKI AZMI
1.The judge below, H.E. Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi was correct to hold that the Respondent was directly affected by the Judgment entered in default of an Acknowledgement of Service and had standing to apply to have the Default Judgment set aside.
2. In having standing to apply for the Default Judgment to be set aside, the Respondent was entitled to take the point that the Claim Form had not been served in accordance with the Rules of the Court.
3. Finally, we find that the Appellant failed to serve the claim form in accordance with the Rules, and for that reason, the default Judgment has to be set aside.
4. It follows from the above, that the appeal is dismissed with costs.
5. The reasons for our decision will be given at a later date.
6. Costs to be assessed by a Registrar if not agreed by the parties within 30 days of the issuance of this Order.
DEPUTY CHIEF JUSTICE OMAR AL MUHAIRI
7. I agree with the above and have nothing further to
JUSTICE SIR RICHARD FIELD
8. I agree with the above and have nothing further to
Issued by:
Nour Hineidi
Deputy Registrar
Date of issue: 3 October 2019
At: 10am