JUDGEMENT

Gopal Sri Ram JCA:

The appellant in this case was a clerk in the Postal Department. As long ago as 18 October 1984, disciplinary proceedings were commenced against him in respect of misconduct allegedly committed by him between January and May 1977. At the conclusion of those proceedings the appellant was dismissed from service and the decision to dismiss him was communicated to him by way of a letter dated 9 July 1985. The appellant instituted an action in November 1986 against the instant respondents seeking,inter alia, a declaration that his dismissal was unlawful and of no effect. The action came on for hearing on 12 August 1994. Since there was no dispute about the facts, the learned judge, with the consent of the parties quite correctly dispensed with the calling of witnesses. He then directed that counsel put in written submissions and in a reserved judgment dismissed the appellant's claim. It is against that decision that the present appeal has been brought.

Before us the only point relied on by learned counsel is that his client was deprived of procedural fairness because of the seven year delay on the part of the respondents in bringing the charges against the a