Federal High Court of Nigeria to Commence Electronic Case Filing in Lagos by June 20, 2025
The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced that, effective June 20, 2025, all new cases filed within the Lagos Division must be submitted electronically. This marks a major shift from the current manual filing system and is aimed at modernising judicial processes and enhancing operational efficiency.
This directive was communicated through an official circular issued by the Chief Registrar of the court, Mr. Sulaiman Hassan. He noted that the introduction of the e-filing system represents a significant milestone in the court’s digitisation agenda, designed to streamline case management and improve access to justice.
In preparation for the transition, all legal practitioners are required to obtain a Legal Mail account, as this will serve as the primary gateway for accessing the electronic filing platform.
Law firms are also expected to upload their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration documents when creating or updating their firm profiles on the platform. Failure to comply with these requirements may restrict access to the new system.
Importantly, Mr. Hassan clarified that all cases currently in progress—i.e., those filed before the June 20 go-live date—will continue to be handled manually until they reach their conclusion. Only new cases filed on or after that date will be subject to the electronic filing requirement.
To facilitate a smooth transition, the Federal High Court will organise a two-day interactive training session between June 16 and June 20. This training will provide legal practitioners with practical guidance on how to use the new platform effectively.
The Chief Registrar also issued a warning to lawyers regarding the accuracy of claims and documents submitted via the new system. Specifically, he cautioned against under-declaring claims or misrepresenting documentation, both of which may result in the under-assessment of filing fees. Any such infractions will attract a penalty of ₦10,000 per filing, in addition to any outstanding amounts due.
The court urged all legal practitioners within the Lagos Division to ensure full compliance with the new electronic filing procedures to guarantee a seamless transition and continued access to court services.
