Nigerian Law School (2017) Civil Litigation Summarized Note

NOTE:
All you need is to understand the principles, then back it up with one or two popular case(s).
CIVIL LITIGATION
Contents
WEEK 3 .................................................................................................................................................... 2
WEEK 4 .................................................................................................................................................... 3
WEEK 5 PRELIMINARY MATTERS (1) ....................................................................................................... 7
WEEK 6 .................................................................................................................................................... 9
WEEK 7 .................................................................................................................................................. 13
WEEK 8 .................................................................................................................................................. 15
WEEK 9 .................................................................................................................................................. 17
WEEK 10 ................................................................................................................................................ 21
WEEK 11 ................................................................................................................................................ 22
WEEK 12 ................................................................................................................................................ 24
WEEK 13. ............................................................................................................................................... 25
WEEK 14 ................................................................................................................................................ 26
WEEK 15 ................................................................................................................................................ 28
WEEK 16. ............................................................................................................................................... 32
WEEK 17 ................................................................................................................................................ 36
WEEK 18 ................................................................................................................................................ 38
WEEK ..................................................................................................................................................... 42
WEEK 20 ................................................................................................................................................ 46
2
WEEK 3
:: OVERVIEW/SCOPE OF CIVIL LITIGATION COURSE: Relate to procedure
regulating civil actions. Ranging from ADR, institution of suit, trial, till determination and
appeal… etc. non compliance with procedure may have fatal effects on a party’s case, its
justifiability notwithstanding.
:: INTRODUCTION TO LITIGATION AND ADR. Read in the ADR Write-up
:: SOURCES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE:
- Rules of Court: Made by the head of each court (pursuant to powers conferred by the
law creating the court) to govern practice and procedure of the court and ensure effective
administration of justice. (e.g Supreme Court Rules 1985 pursuant to Section 236
Constitution, Court of Appeal Rules->Section 248, FHC Rules by CJ  254, HC 259, Of
the 1999 Constitution, etc. Attempts have been made to unify by enacting the uniform CPR
though in practice, states still have their own rules though substantively similar.
- Statute Creating the Court: e.g. Court of Appeal Act, Supreme Court Act, etc. Statute
prevails over rules. It empowers heads to create rules as discussed above.
- Constitution: establishes the superior courts of record (Part Something) and has
provisions on procedure (e.g. right of appeal) and is instrumental in the making of other
rules like FREPR 46(3), CAR, etc.
- Other Statutes and Rules: like the Sheriff and Civil Process Act (which is on exclusive
legislative list-Nwabueze v Obi Okoye [1988] 10-11 SCNJ. 60) and Judgment
enforcement Rules (like foreign judgment reciprocal enforcement rules), CAMA,
Companies Winding Up Rules 1983, Matrimonial Causes Act, Matrimonial Causes Rules,
etc.
- Decisions of the Court on Procedure: where law is silent or ambiguous. Craig v Craig
(1966) 1 All NLR 173. On procedure where court orders a non-suit. Lion Building v
Shodipe (1976) 12 SC 135.
- Practice Directions: on how court rule should be complied with-University of Lagos v
Aigoro (1984) 11 SC 152. Have the force of law though lowest in hierarchy-Buhari v
INEC, S. 18 Interpretation Act. See for example Justice Ayo Salami’s on 1st April, 2011
on election cases pursuant to powers conferred by sc 243 and 285 constitution.
- English Rules of Practice and Procedure: Management Entreprises Ltd v Otusanyam
though resort to English rules is not encouraged in Lagos (Or1 R 1) and more vehemently
prohibited in the North (sc 35 HCLNorth). Rather, resort should be had to that which would
do substantial justice in the case.
:: AIM, SCOPE AND APPLICATION OF RULES OF COURT: ease