The Small Claims’ Court was commissioned by the Chief Judge of Lagos State on Monday, 23rd April 2018. The Small Claims’ Courts are being established in all the Magisterial Districts in Lagos State. The essence of the establishment of the Courts is to provide easy access to an informal, inexpensive & speedy resolution of debt recovery disputes in the Courts for claims not exceeding N5,000,000 (five million Naira). The procedure is designed to be simple and encourages self-representation, thus reducing cost of legal representation. The process would involve a Claimant filing a standard form at the Court Registry and serving the form, containing the claim, on the Defendant(s). The time frame for actions commenced at the Court is limited to exceed sixty (60) days. In essence, this may lead to the speedy dispensation of justice in certain disputes that fall within the jurisdiction of the Small Claims’ Court. A Small Claims’ Court Handbook has been issued by the Court and it serves as a guide for litigants who are desirous of commencing actions at the Court.
