PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE — Counsel — Duty to Assist Court — Quality Professional Assistance
Ratio Decidendi
Per Rhodes-Vivour, JSC, in Contract Resource Nig. Ltd & Anor v. UBA Plc (2011) NLC-123-292-2003(SC) at p. 7; Paras A—B:
"Counsel appearing before this court and indeed any court properly constituted should be alive to their responsibilities to assist the courts. The highest Court in the land must be given quality professional assistance that would ensure sound dispensation of justice."
Explanation / Scope
This principle establishes that counsel must assist the court and provide quality professional assistance to ensure sound dispensation of justice. The principle applies to all counsel. It ensures that courts are properly assisted. The principle reflects the duty of counsel. It prevents poor professional assistance. The court must require quality assistance. The principle provides guidance on counsel’s duty.