The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced that manual filing of new cases in the Lagos Judicial Division will cease on June 20, 2025, in preparation for the full activation of its electronic filing (e-filing) platform on June 23, 2025.
According to the Chief Registrar of the court, Mr. Sulaiman Hassan, all legal cases filed before the go-live date will continue under the manual system until their final judgment. However, from June 23 onward, all new filings must be done electronically.
To ensure a smooth transition, lawyers are required to obtain their Legal Mail accounts before the go-live date, as it is a mandatory prerequisite for accessing the new e-filing system. Legal practitioners can register at nigerianbar.org.ng.
Additionally, any lawyer who under-declares claims or documents—intentionally or unintentionally—leading to an underpayment of court fees will be liable to pay the outstanding balance along with a ₦10,000 penalty per filing.
For filings requiring an oath, submissions must be made through the e-affidavit platform at affidavit.courts.gov.ng. Deponents must still appear in person before a commissioner for oaths to complete the process.
Law chambers must also upload relevant Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration documents when setting up their profile on the platform.
To facilitate understanding and compliance, the court will host a two-day interactive session to educate legal practitioners on using the e-filing system efficiently.
This digital shift marks a significant step toward improving efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in Nigeria’s judicial system.
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