Order 1 FCT (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025

Order 1 of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025 is about Application and Interpretation. It contains the following rules:

Order 1 Rule 1 FCT (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025 – Application

These Rules shall apply to all proceedings including all part-heard cases, causes and matters in respect of steps to be further taken in such cases, causes and matters. The Court shall give such directions, as may be necessary or expedient to ensure conformity with the requirement of these Rules.

Order 1 Rule 2 FCT (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025

Application of these Rules shall be directed towards the achievement of a just, efficient and expeditious dispensation of justice. Parties and Counsel shall assist the Court to further the overriding objectives of these Rules.

Order 1 Rule 3 FCT (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025 – Practice Directions

The Chief Judge may give practice directions, generally or in respect of a particular case, for carrying out any provision of these Rules.

Order 1 Rule 4 FCT (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025 – Interpretation of Terms

These Rules shall be interpreted in accordance with the Interpretation Act, or any re-enactment.

Order 1 Rule 5 FCT (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025

In the construction of these Rules, unless there is anything in the subject or context repugnant thereto, the several words hereinafter mentioned or referred to shall have or include the following meanings:

“ADR” means Alternative Dispute Resolution.

“ADR Judge” means a Judge of the High Court designated by the Chief Judge to handle ADR related matters.

“AMDC” means the Abuja Multi-Door Courthouse.

“Attorney-General” means the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“Chief Judge” means the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Claimant” means a party initiating an action and shall include a counter claimant.

“Convention country” means a foreign country with whom Nigeria share legal commitments on a matter.

“Court” means the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Court process” or “process” includes writ of summons, originating summons, originating process, notices, petitions, pleadings, orders, motions, summons, affidavits, warrants and all documents or written communications of which service is required.

“Decision” means any decision of a Court and includes judgment, ruling, decree, order, conviction, sentence or recommendation.

“Defendant” is a party against whom an action is initiated and shall include a defendant to a counter claim.

“FCT” means the Federal Capital Territory.

“Guardian” means any person who has for the time being, the charge of or control over a person under legal disability and includes a person appointed to institute or defend an action on behalf of any person under legal disability.

“Law” means the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Act or any re-enactment.

“Legal Practitioner” means a Law Officer, a State Counsel or a person authorized to practice law in Nigeria.

“Minor” means a person who has not attained the age of 18 years.

“Originating process” means any Court process by which a suit is initiated.

“Person under legal disability” means person who lacks capacity to institute or defend any proceedings by reason of age, insanity, unsoundness of mind or otherwise.

“Probate action” means an action for the grant of probate of the will, or letters of administration of the estate of a deceased person or any other action or cause arising from the administration of the deceased estate.

“Process Server” means any person or electronic means authorised to serve a Court process under any enactment, regulation or rule of Court.

“Registrar” means the Chief Registrar, Deputy Chief Registrar, Assistant Chief Registrar, Principal Registrar, Senior Registrar, Higher Registrar, or any other officer acting or performing the functions of a Registrar.

“Registry” means the Registry of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in the appropriate judicial division.

“Return date” means the day endorsed on a Court process for the first appearance of the parties before a Court or any other date as the Court may appoint and in the case of the undefended list it is the day fixed for hearing.

“SMS” means Short Message Service.

“Taxing Officer” means the Chief Registrar or such other officer of the Court as the Court may appoint to tax costs.

“Walk in Cases” means disputes filed directly at AMDC with the objective of resolving same through any of the Courthouse Multi Doors to the exclusion of Arbitration.