FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ABUJA AREA COURTS (REPEAL AND ENACTMENT) ACT

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FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ABUJA AREA COURTS (REPEAL AND ENACTMENT) ACT, 2010

LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

This Act repeals the Area Courts Act, Cap. 477, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006 and enacts the Federal Capital Territory Area Courts Act, 2010.

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I – ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITUTION OF THE AREA COURTS

1.     Establishment of Area Courts.

2.     Constitution and membership of Area Courts.

3.     Discipline of members of Area Courts.

4.     Sessions.

5.     Indemnity of members of Area Courts.

PART II – STAFF OF AREA COURTS

6.     Staff of the Court.

7.     Delegation of duties.

8.     Bailiffs and messengers.

9.     Indemnity of staff of Area Courts.

PART 11I- JURISDICTION OF AREA COURTS

10.    Institution of proceedings in Area Courts.

11.    Inquiry by High Court whether person is subject to jurisdiction of Area Courts.

12.    Persons subject to jurisdiction of Area Courts.

13.    Civil jurisdiction.

14.    Place of hearing.

15.    Law to be administered in civil cases and matters.

16.    Guardianship of children.

PART IV – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE IN AREA COURTS

17.    Practice and procedure generally.

18.    Jurisdiction of Area Court not required to be shown on the record.

19.    Appearance and representation of parties.

20.    Proceedings to be in open court.

PART V – TRANSFER BY AREA COURTS

21.    Power to transfer by Area Court.

22.    Remission of case to lower grade Area Court.

PART VI – ANCILLARY POWERS OF AREA COURTS

23.    Power to summon witnesses.

24.    Person present may be required to give evidence.

25.    Evidence of person within jurisdiction.

26.    Execution of judgments.

27.    Execution of orders of other courts.

28.    Power to grant interim injunction or impound property.

29.    Power to appoint receiver and manager.

30.    Inspection.

PART VII CONTROL OF AREA COURTS

31.    General supervision of Area Courts.

32.    Appointment and functions of Chief Inspector of Area Court.

33.    Appointment of inspectors.

34.    Reports of cases tried.

35.    Inspector’s right of cases to Area Courts.

36.    Supervisory powers of inspectors.

37.    Effect of order to transfer.

38.    Review by Appeal Court on report of inspector.

39.    Special plea in bar not admissible on hearing.

40.    Power of inspector not exercisable where appeal instituted.

PART VIII – APPEAL

41.    Appeals from Area Courts.

42.    Restriction on right of appeal.

43.    Appeals out of time.

44.    Powers of appellate court in civil matters.

45.    Powers of courts or appeal to inspect records.

46.    Substantial justice to be done without undue regard to technicalities.

PART IX – OFFENCES

47.    Adjudication without authority.

48.    Jurisdiction of courts under Part IX.

PART X – RULES OF COURT

49.    Power to make rules.

PART XI – MISCELLANEOUS

50.    Saving and transition provision.

51.    Interpretation.

52.    Repeal of Cap. 477, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.

53.    Citation.

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FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ABUJA AREA COURTS (REPEAL AND ENACTMENT) ACT, 2010

An Act to repeal the Area Courts Act Cap. 477, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006 and enact the Federal Capital Territory Area Courts and; for related matters.

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[COMMENCEMENT                       (14^TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2011)]

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