The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced that the manual filing of new cases in the Lagos Judicial Division will cease on June 20, with the e-filing platform set to become operational on June 23.
This transition marks a significant shift towards digital case management in one of the country’s busiest judicial divisions.
According to a statement by the Chief Registrar, Mr. Sulaiman Hassan, cases filed before the go-live date will continue to be processed manually until their conclusion.
The move aims to streamline court processes and improve efficiency.
In preparation for the change, legal practitioners are required to obtain their legal mail accounts before June 23, as these are mandatory for accessing the new e-filing system.
Lawyers can apply for their Legal Mail through the Nigerian Bar Association’s website.
Hassan cautioned that any lawyer who understates claims or documents, leading to under-assessment of fees, will face penalties, including a fine of N10,000 for each filing error.
Additionally, documents requiring an oath must be submitted via the e-affidavit platform, with deponents needing to appear before a commissioner for oaths.
To facilitate a smooth transition, a two-day interactive session on the e-filing system will be held, providing guidance on the new process.
Law chambers are also required to upload relevant registration documents with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) when setting up their profiles on the platform.
Source; NigeriaInfo FM.
