Many cases get dismissed or struck out of Court upon objections and
applications which border on technical and preliminary considerations. Such
considerations include existence of cause of action, locus standi, jurisdiction, legal personality, properly prepared processes
among others. A litigation attorney must have a good knowledge of these
considerations and always bear them in mind before heading to court in order
not to waste the time and resources of the litigants, the other counsel and the
court. A counsel may also incur some liabilities for failure to observe these
preliminary or technical matters before instituting an action in court. This
article provides a checklist of these technical and preliminary matters a
litigation counsel should consider before filing processes in court.
applications which border on technical and preliminary considerations. Such
considerations include existence of cause of action, locus standi, jurisdiction, legal personality, properly prepared processes
among others. A litigation attorney must have a good knowledge of these
considerations and always bear them in mind before heading to court in order
not to waste the time and resources of the litigants, the other counsel and the
court. A counsel may also incur some liabilities for failure to observe these
preliminary or technical matters before instituting an action in court. This
article provides a checklist of these technical and preliminary matters a
litigation counsel should consider before filing processes in court.
q Cause of Action
There must be a cause of action before an intending litigant can
initiate an action in court. A cause of action refers to any fact or series of
facts which when proved will entitle one person to damage or relief against
another person[i].
initiate an action in court. A cause of action refers to any fact or series of
facts which when proved will entitle one person to damage or relief against
another person[i].
A cause of action must clearly appear on the face of the originating
processes; otherwise the proceeding will not be sustainable. Hence, counsel
must ensure that there is in existence a cause of action known to law before
commencing an action in court.
processes; otherwise the proceeding will not be sustainable. Hence, counsel
must ensure that there is in existence a cause of action known to law before
commencing an action in court.
q Locus Standi
A person who
intends to institute a suit must possess the ability to so do. Locus standi is
the legal capacity to institute proceedings in a court of law[ii].
intends to institute a suit must possess the ability to so do. Locus standi is
the legal capacity to institute proceedings in a court of law[ii].
When a claimant lacks locus
in respect of a claim, such claim will be struck out. Therefore, a counsel must
make sure his client has the legal capacity to maintain an action before
initiating such in court.
in respect of a claim, such claim will be struck out. Therefore, a counsel must
make sure his client has the legal capacity to maintain an action before
initiating such in court.
q Parties
A counsel must ask himself this very important question while making
the decision to institute an action: “Who
is the appropriate person to sue and be sued?” He must ensure both the
plaintiff and the defendant in a case are legal persons capable of suing and
being sued either as the proper party, desirable party, necessary party or
nominal party[iii].
the decision to institute an action: “Who
is the appropriate person to sue and be sued?” He must ensure both the
plaintiff and the defendant in a case are legal persons capable of suing and
being sued either as the proper party, desirable party, necessary party or
nominal party[iii].
In addition, he must ensure the parties are legal persons capable of
suing and being sued (natural or artificial persons)[iv].
Also, in deciding who to sue, the counsel must have in mind the possibility of
enforcing the judgment if made against the defendant[v].
suing and being sued (natural or artificial persons)[iv].
Also, in deciding who to sue, the counsel must have in mind the possibility of
enforcing the judgment if made against the defendant[v].
q Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms must be well explored
before instituting an action in Court. With ADR, parties may reach an amicable
resolution of the dispute without the need to resort to Court or litigation.
Moreover, Counsel has a duty to inform his client of the available alternative
dispute resolution mechanisms[vi].
before instituting an action in Court. With ADR, parties may reach an amicable
resolution of the dispute without the need to resort to Court or litigation.
Moreover, Counsel has a duty to inform his client of the available alternative
dispute resolution mechanisms[vi].
q Limitation period
This has to do with whether an action is statute barred or not. Where
there is a lapse of time as regards the sustenance of the action, proceedings
will be statute barred and the party will be denied the right to proceed to
court for redress.[vii]
there is a lapse of time as regards the sustenance of the action, proceedings
will be statute barred and the party will be denied the right to proceed to
court for redress.[vii]
The time begins to run when the cause of action accrues. The limitation
period is determined by comparing the date the writ of summons was filed with
the date the alleged wrong was committed as contained in the statement of claim
or as adjudged in the eyes of the law. If the date on the writ is beyond the
period allowed by limitation law, then the action is statute barred[viii].
period is determined by comparing the date the writ of summons was filed with
the date the alleged wrong was committed as contained in the statement of claim
or as adjudged in the eyes of the law. If the date on the writ is beyond the
period allowed by limitation law, then the action is statute barred[viii].
Counsel must always note the provisions of limitation laws in order not
to initiate a suit that is already statute barred.
to initiate a suit that is already statute barred.
q Conditions precedent/Pre-action Notices
All the necessary conditions precedent to the filing of suit in Court
must have been complied with before the commencement of an action. Conditions
such as pre-action notices, statutory notices, letters of demand, pre action
counseling etc. must be fulfilled before instituting an action in court when
required by law[ix]. For instance, to
institute an action against some government establishments, a counsel must
first serve the establishment a written notice of intention to commence the
suit. Failure to observe this will be fatal to the competence of the suit.
must have been complied with before the commencement of an action. Conditions
such as pre-action notices, statutory notices, letters of demand, pre action
counseling etc. must be fulfilled before instituting an action in court when
required by law[ix]. For instance, to
institute an action against some government establishments, a counsel must
first serve the establishment a written notice of intention to commence the
suit. Failure to observe this will be fatal to the competence of the suit.
It is the duty of the counsel to make sure all required conditions
precedent to trial are fulfilled before initiating an action in court.
precedent to trial are fulfilled before initiating an action in court.
q Jurisdiction
The counsel has to always consider which court has jurisdiction to
entertain the client‘s action. Jurisdiction is the legal capacity of a court to
hear and determine judicial proceedings. It is fundamental in any proceeding
and lack of it is fatal to such proceedings[x].
entertain the client‘s action. Jurisdiction is the legal capacity of a court to
hear and determine judicial proceedings. It is fundamental in any proceeding
and lack of it is fatal to such proceedings[x].
q Venue
Counsel has to always decide the appropriate Judicial Division or Magisterial
District to commence an action. In making such decision, the counsel has to
look into the rules of the court guiding commencement of suits.
District to commence an action. In making such decision, the counsel has to
look into the rules of the court guiding commencement of suits.
An action should be commenced at the right division or district to
avoid incurring the unnecessary cost of transferring the case if commenced
elsewhere. For instance, an action commenced at the Lagos State High Court will
definitely be struck out where the defendant does not reside nor carry on
business in Lagos, and the cause of action likewise did not arise in Lagos[xi].
However, in matrimonial causes, all States High Courts are competent to hear
matrimonial proceedings even if the marriage was neither celebrated in their jurisdiction
nor parties live there. The suit may only be transferred from one jurisdiction
to another for the sake of convenience.
avoid incurring the unnecessary cost of transferring the case if commenced
elsewhere. For instance, an action commenced at the Lagos State High Court will
definitely be struck out where the defendant does not reside nor carry on
business in Lagos, and the cause of action likewise did not arise in Lagos[xi].
However, in matrimonial causes, all States High Courts are competent to hear
matrimonial proceedings even if the marriage was neither celebrated in their jurisdiction
nor parties live there. The suit may only be transferred from one jurisdiction
to another for the sake of convenience.
q Mode of Commencement
The rules of the court and some other special rules of procedure
prescribe the various modes of commencing actions in Court. These modes vary
depending on the court and the cause of action. For example, the following are
the four (4) different modes for commencing actions in the High Court: writ of
summons, originating summons, petition and originating motion/application.[xii]
prescribe the various modes of commencing actions in Court. These modes vary
depending on the court and the cause of action. For example, the following are
the four (4) different modes for commencing actions in the High Court: writ of
summons, originating summons, petition and originating motion/application.[xii]
It is very important for counsel to have good knowledge of these modes
of commencement in order not to employ a wrong mode in commencing an action in
Court.
of commencement in order not to employ a wrong mode in commencing an action in
Court.
q Well drafted, signed and sealed processes
Counsel must make sure all the processes to be filed in court are well
drafted, duly signed and sealed. Counsel must be very careful when making use
of precedents in drafting the processes so as not to make grievous mistakes.
Documents must be signed in the name of the counsel and not that of the firm[xiii].
The NBA seal (or necessary documents in lieu) must also be duly attached to the
processes before filing[xiv].
drafted, duly signed and sealed. Counsel must be very careful when making use
of precedents in drafting the processes so as not to make grievous mistakes.
Documents must be signed in the name of the counsel and not that of the firm[xiii].
The NBA seal (or necessary documents in lieu) must also be duly attached to the
processes before filing[xiv].
Conclusion
Matters to be considered before proceeding to file an action in Court
are always of paramount importance. Failure to consider these matters may lead
to premature termination or dismissal at the end of the action. If the above
checklist is well utilized, it would be of great assistance to counsel and
aggrieved persons intending to institute an action in a court of law.
are always of paramount importance. Failure to consider these matters may lead
to premature termination or dismissal at the end of the action. If the above
checklist is well utilized, it would be of great assistance to counsel and
aggrieved persons intending to institute an action in a court of law.
[ii] Ag Kaduna v. Hassan
(1985) 2 NWLR 453; Adesanya v. President FRN & Anor. (1981) 5 SC 112; Fawehinmi v. President FRN (2007) 14
NWLR (pt.1054) 275. Kayode Bakare & Ors v. Ajose- Adeogun & Ors 2014
Legalpedia SC 33M5
(1985) 2 NWLR 453; Adesanya v. President FRN & Anor. (1981) 5 SC 112; Fawehinmi v. President FRN (2007) 14
NWLR (pt.1054) 275. Kayode Bakare & Ors v. Ajose- Adeogun & Ors 2014
Legalpedia SC 33M5
[iii] Green v. Green
(1987) 3 NWLR (Pt. 61) p. 480.
(1987) 3 NWLR (Pt. 61) p. 480.
[iv] Okechukwu &
Sons v. Ndah (1967) NMLR 366; Ataguba and Company v. Gura Nigeria Limited 2005
Legalpedia SC 9AWD
Sons v. Ndah (1967) NMLR 366; Ataguba and Company v. Gura Nigeria Limited 2005
Legalpedia SC 9AWD
[v] Prince Joel Olowode
Amos &Ors v. Oba Israel Adewale Okoya & Ors 2014 legalpedia CA PEUC
Amos &Ors v. Oba Israel Adewale Okoya & Ors 2014 legalpedia CA PEUC
[vi] Rule 15(3) (d) Rules
of Professional Conduct
of Professional Conduct
[vii] Ajayi v. Military
Administrator of Ondo State (1997) 5 NWLR (Pt. 504) 237; Dr. Charles Oladeinde Williams
v. Madam Olaitan Williams (2008) Legalpedia (SC) TOJB
Administrator of Ondo State (1997) 5 NWLR (Pt. 504) 237; Dr. Charles Oladeinde Williams
v. Madam Olaitan Williams (2008) Legalpedia (SC) TOJB
[viii] Egbe v. Adefarasin
(1987) 1 NWLR (Pt. 47) 1.
(1987) 1 NWLR (Pt. 47) 1.
[ix] Gambari v. Gambari
(1990) 5 NWLR (Pt. 152) 572. Ugwuanyi v. NICON Plc (2004) 15 NWLR (Pt. 897) 612
(1990) 5 NWLR (Pt. 152) 572. Ugwuanyi v. NICON Plc (2004) 15 NWLR (Pt. 897) 612
[x] Madukolu v.
Nkemdilim (1962) 1 All NLR (Pt. 4) 587.
Mobil v. LASEPA (2003) 104 LRCN 240; Ndayako v. Dantoro (2004) 13 NWLR
(Pt 889) 187
Nkemdilim (1962) 1 All NLR (Pt. 4) 587.
Mobil v. LASEPA (2003) 104 LRCN 240; Ndayako v. Dantoro (2004) 13 NWLR
(Pt 889) 187
[xi] Order 2 , High Court
of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2012
of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2012
[xii] D.I Efevwerhan
(2013): Principles of Civil Procedure in
Nigeria (Second Edition) pg 145; Snaap Press Ltd, Enugu, Nigeria.
(2013): Principles of Civil Procedure in
Nigeria (Second Edition) pg 145; Snaap Press Ltd, Enugu, Nigeria.
[xiii] Okafor v. Nweke
(2007) 10 NWLR (pt. 1043) 521
(2007) 10 NWLR (pt. 1043) 521
[xiv] Today’s Cars Ltd v.
Lasaco Assurance PLC & Anor (2016) LPELR-41260 (CA)
Lasaco Assurance PLC & Anor (2016) LPELR-41260 (CA)
Adejorin D. Abiona
is a young resourceful legal practitioner, writer and public speaker with keen
is a young resourceful legal practitioner, writer and public speaker with keen
interest in dispute resolution and corporate law practice. He has to his credit
various law-related
various law-related
articles published on different platforms.
Adejorin d. Abiona
Associate Attorney |
Writer | Public Speaker
Writer | Public Speaker