Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019

These Rules govern the practice and procedure of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the exercise of its civil jurisdiction. They revoke and replace the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009. The Rules cover a comprehensive range of matters including place of instituting and trial of suits, form and commencement of action, indorsement of claim and addresses, petitions, service of process within and out of jurisdiction, appearance, default of appearance, parties, joinder of causes of action, consolidation, the undefended list, pleadings, default of pleadings, admissions, proceedings in lieu of demurrer, amendment, settlement out of court and settlement of issues, proceedings at trial, evidence, non-suit, filing of written addresses, judgment and entry of judgment, drawing up of orders, costs, interlocutory applications, affidavits, interlocutory injunctions and interim preservation of property, disputing the court’s jurisdiction, interim attachment of property, stay of proceedings or execution pending appeal, interpleader proceedings, application for judicial review, committal for contempt of court, writ of execution, garnishee proceedings, proceedings in forma pauperis, assessors, receivers, reference to referee, payment into and out of court, discovery and inspection, accounts and inquiries, arrest of absconding defendant, court sitting and vacation, cause lists, computation of time, transfer and reassignment of cases, withdrawal and discontinuance, effect of non-compliance, arbitration, appeals and applications under the Trade Marks Act and Patents and Designs Act, appeals from professional bodies, fees and allowances, miscellaneous provisions, powers of the Chief Judge to amend rules and issue practice directions, and establishment of communications and service centre for e-filing.