WITH effect from today, July 16, 2018, the Supreme Court of Nigeria will no longer accept the manual filing of cases and will no longer serve court cases through manual processes.
All cases will now be instituted and served through an electronic medium known as Legal Mail.
In a video shared on Twitter by Transparency International, Walter Onnoghen, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), described the introduction of Legal Mail as the beginning of a new era in the Nigerian justice system
He said the new era is “one that brings innovative technological changes and even greater standards of excellence.
“This means that all new fillings at the Supreme Court as from the 16th of July must bear counsel’s legal e-mail address (@nigerianbar.ng).
“I am glad to note that some other courts are taking steps in the same direction. The system is designed to, and already capable of supporting the entire legal system.
“Adopting the legal email system will enable you to be part of a judicial ecosystem that enjoys a seamless exchange of electronic information and better communication.
“I will like to implore all courts and lawyers to join us on this quest for excellence.”
Onnoghen said benefits of the new electronic legal infrastructure include “availability of reliable information, automatically being seen as a credible practitioner, and having undeniable proof of service”.
The Supreme Court has introduced innovative tech solution for seamless exchange of information using electronic mail – LEGAL MAIL.
The project which takes off today will allow parties to file and serve court processes online. #JusticeReforms pic.twitter.com/K1CI4nU7aP
— TransparencIT Nigeria (@TransparencITng) July 16, 2018
According to the website of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) the Legal Mail “enables the Nigerian Judiciary to improve its justice system by automating court processes, effecting service of processes and supporting case/court management through the use of real-time data and analytics”.