Lagos State High Court Practice Directions for the Management of Cases on Fast Track 2008

PRACTICE DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CASES ON FAST TRACK 2008 LAGOS STATE

Objective of the Fast Track Court

The main objective of the Fast Track Court is to reduce the time spent on litigation to a period not exceeding 8 months. After the commencement date of these Practice Directions, final judgment in a case allocated to the Fast Track should be delivered within 8 months of the date of filing.

Application of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2004

1. The High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2004 shall apply to cases allocated to the Fast Track subject to such modifications as are effected by these Practice Directions.

Cases qualified for the Fast Track

2. A suit shall qualify for the Fast Track where -

(a) The total sum of claims or counterclaims is N 100,000,000 (One hundred million naira) or more; or

(b) One or more of the parties is a non-resident investor in the Nigerian economy or

(c) The Claim involves a mortgage transaction.

Identification mark and speedy processing

3. Where a case satisfies any of the criterion in clause 2 above, the Assistant Chief Registrar or other person in charge of the Litigation Section shall cause the Originating Processes to be marked "QUALIFIED FOR FAST TRACK".

Time for Completion of Registry Processes

4. All filing and service of processes in the Registry shall be concluded not later than 8 weeks from the filing date of the Originating Process the 42 day response time for the Defense inclusive.

Time to apply for Hearing in the Fast Track Court

5. Where a suit qualifies for the Fast Track procedure and a Claimant so consents, the Claimant shall apply for the issuanceof a Pre-Trial Conference Notice as in Forms 17 and 18 within 7 days of the close of pleadings, and his application shall include a formal request for Fast Track allocation.

Pre-Trial

Pre-Trial Conference in Fast Track Cases