CIVIL PROCEDURE — Jurisdiction — Determination of Jurisdiction — Plaintiff’s Claim as Basis
Ratio Decidendi
Per Ogbuagu, JSC, in Integrated Timber and Plywood Products Ltd. v. Union Bank Nigeria Plc (2006) NLC-123-342-2001(SC) at p. 9; Paras C–E:
"It is a fundamental principle that jurisdiction is determined by the Plaintiff's claim… In other words, it is the claim before the Court that has to be looked at or examined to ascertain whether it comes within the jurisdiction conferred on the Court."
Explanation / Scope
The plaintiff’s claim determines whether a court has jurisdiction. The principle applies to civil procedure.