What a welcome development! Now High Courts in Lagos State can now have remote hearings. This is to ensure that urgent cases are heard and disposed of. The main objectives of this Practice Direction are as follows:
a. To ensure timely and efficient disposal of cases.
b. To ensure proper use of technology.
c. To ensure just determination of cases.
d. To ensure use of available judicial and adminstrative resources.
It is worthy to note that the remote hearings must also be conducted in accordance with constitutional safeguards, applicable laws and Rules of Court. The Practice Direction allows for electronic filling of processes. Lawyers MUST be properly robed and the approved apps are Zoom, Skype and any other video communication method approved by the Chief Judge. The parties are not left out too. They must also be properly dressed. Judgement is also to be delivered via email or Whatsapp.
We hope that this trend set by the Lagos State Judiciary under the watch of Hon. Justice Kazeem O. Alogba, will be emulated by other States Judiciary in the Federation as well as in the Federal High Courts, National Industrial Courts, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
We hope that this trend set by the Lagos State Judiciary under the watch of Hon. Justice Kazeem O. Alogba, will be emulated by other States Judiciary in the Federation as well as in the Federal High Courts, National Industrial Courts, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Chinecherem Ubaka
Legal Practitioner.
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