The Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Hon. Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, has on Friday, November 12, 2021, signed new FCT District Courts Civil procedure rules.
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According to him, the District Court Act Cap. 495 LFN, ( Abuja) 1990 and the previous Rules were enacted by the Legislature of the then Northern Region of Nigeria and came into force on on the 30th September 1960.
At the event were members of the Bench notably Honorable Justice Anenih, Honorable Justice Agbara and Honorable Justice Kekemeke.
Among the provisions of the new Rules are the reviewed and simplified court forms, praecipe of evidence for front-loading with exceptions for a waiver for illiterate self-represented litigants, a new mode for commencing action by originating application, and provisions for claims in a foreign currency.
Others are provisions for counter claim and set off, service of processes by electronic means, Identification and designation of Districts, mode of third-party proceedings, timelines for hearing cases and limit on number of adjournment permissible per party, timeline for judgments and rulings, nonsuiting and procedure thereof and review of fees.
The new Rules further made provisions for Procedure for discontinuance, award of interest, effect of non-compliance with rules, specific duty on Chief Registrar to open interest yielding accounts for interim or interlocutors orders upon stay of execution.
The Chief Judge noted that the new rules offer an opportunity to improve our system and enhance speedy dispensation of justice. As a result, our courts stand to resolve disputes more quickly and less expensively.
The Chairman NBA Gwagwalada Branch, Isa Alyu Abubakar, who spoke on behalf of the other Chairmen in FCT, commended, the CJ, said it is a welcomed development.
However, he noted that lawyers in FCT, had expected it earlier than now.
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