LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CIVIL PROCEDURE – Inherent Jurisdiction – Cannot Be Used to Review Final Judgment
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
The inherent powers under Section 6(6) of the Constitution cannot be invoked to reverse a decision already given by the Supreme Court.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
"The inherent powers under S.6(6) of the Constitution cannot be invoked to reverse a decision already given by this Court."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Section 6(6) grants courts inherent jurisdiction to make orders necessary for justice administration. However, this broad power doesn’t extend to reviewing final Supreme Court judgments. Inherent jurisdiction serves case management, procedural fairness, and preventing abuse—not overturning final judgments. Allowing inherent jurisdiction to reverse Supreme Court decisions would: undermine finality, create endless litigation loops, and contradict constitutional design making Supreme Court determinations final. Inherent powers operate within constitutional structure, not against it. Parties cannot use inherent jurisdiction applications to seek what amounts to impermissible appeals or reviews of final Supreme Court judgments. The only legitimate uses of inherent jurisdiction post-judgment are: correcting clerical errors (slip rule), enforcing judgments, or addressing matters not affecting the substantive judgment