The Federal High Court Lagos Division has announced that it is transitioning fully to electronic case filing, with all new matters required to be filed digitally from April 27, 2026.
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In a statement released by the Court, manual filing of new cases will end on April 24, 2026, after which lawyers must use the new e-filing platform for all fresh matters.
The Court clarified that cases already filed before the transition date will continue to be processed under the manual system until judgment is delivered.
This means that only new cases initiated from April 27 onwards will be subject to the mandatory electronic filing requirement.
The Court warned that any understatement of claims or misrepresentation of documents will attract a ₦10,000 penalty per filing, in addition to the payment of any outstanding fees.
This provision is aimed at discouraging deliberate or inadvertent under-assessment of filing fees through inaccurate documentation.
According to the statement, lawyers must meet certain requirements to access the e-filing platform:
Legal Mail Account: All lawyers seeking to file cases electronically must first obtain a Legal Mail account — a secure, verified email system issued through the Nigerian Bar Association.
CAC Registration: Law firms and chambers are required to upload their Corporate Affairs Commission registration documents when creating their profiles on the platform.
E-Affidavit Portal: Oath-related documents will be processed through the e-Affidavit portal. However, deponents must still appear physically before a Commissioner for Oaths to complete the process.
The transition to electronic filing is part of a broader digitization effort by the Federal High Court and the Nigerian judiciary to improve efficiency, transparency, and access to justice.
The e-filing portal is accessible at the official Federal High Court platform.
Legal practitioners are advised to:
- Complete their Legal Mail registration before the April 24 cutoff
- Ensure their law firms’ CAC documents are uploaded to the platform
- Familiarise themselves with the e-filing and e-Affidavit portals
- Avoid understatement of claims to prevent the ₦10,000 penalty
The Federal High Court Lagos Division’s transition to mandatory e-filing marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s judicial modernization efforts.
For lawyers, the change means adapting to a new way of initiating cases — one that requires digital literacy, proper documentation, and accurate assessment of claims to avoid penalties.
The April 24 deadline for manual filing gives practitioners less than a month to complete their registration and prepare for the new system.
While the transition may present initial challenges, particularly for older practitioners less familiar with digital platforms, it promises to reduce delays associated with physical filing, improve record-keeping, and enhance transparency in the court system.
The requirement for CAC documents also suggests a move towards greater accountability, ensuring that only properly registered law firms can access the court’s electronic systems.
With the Lagos Division serving as one of the busiest Federal High Court divisions in the country, the successful implementation of this e-filing mandate could serve as a model for other judicial divisions across Nigeria.
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