LAGOS STATE (SMALL CLAIMS COURT) PRACTICE DIRECTIONS 2018

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MAGISTRATES’ COURTS LAW

PRACTICE DIRECTIONS ON SMALL CLAIMS 2018

ARRANGEMENT OF ARTICLES

ARTICLE 1 – OBJECTIVE

ARTICLE 2 – COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION

ARTICLE 3 – MARKING AND PAYMENT OF FILING FEES

ARTICLE 4 – ASSIGNMENT OF SMALL CLAIMS FILES

ARTICLE 5 – SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS

ARTICLE 6 – FILING OF DEFENCE/ADMISSION/COUNTERCLAIM

ARTICLE 7 – COUNTER CLAIM

ARTICLE 8 – NONAPPEARANCE

ARTICLE 9 – PROCEEDINGS AT THE HEARING

ARTICLE 10 – REPRESENTATION

ARTICLE 11 –EVIDENCE

ARTICLE 12 – JUDGMENT

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS LAW

PRACTICE DIRECTIONS ON SMALL CLAIMS 2018

In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 274 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended), High Court Law CH.H5, Vol. 4, Laws of Lagos State 2015, Section 90(1), (2) (a) of the Magistrates’ Courts Law 2009, CH.M1, Vol. 8, Laws of Lagos State 2015, and by virtue of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I HON. MR. JUSTICE OPEYEMI O. OKE, Chief Judge of Lagos State, hereby issue the following Practice Directions.

PREAMBLE:

Whereas, I, the Hon. Chief Judge hereby designate some Magistrates’ Courts as Small Claims Courts.

The Practice Directions shall apply and be observed in the Magistrates’ Courts designated as Small Claims Courts and by the High Court, when sitting over appeals from the Small Claims Courts.

SMALL CLAIMS PROCEDURE

ARTICLE 1 – OBJECTIVE

The objective of the small claims procedure is to provide easy access to an informal, inexpensive and speedy resolution of simple debt recovery disputes in the Magistrates’ Courts.