Stakeholders Call For Automation Of Judicial System For Quick Dispute Resolution

As the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the traditional ways of interactions and the overall conduct of business globally, Stakeholders in the Nigeria Judicial system have called on the Nigerian Bar Association to create virtual rooms in the various jurisdictions to allow members participate in virtual court hearing.

At the Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Virtual Court Hearing organised by the Centre for Trade and Business Environment Advocacy, in conjunction with the German Cooperative Deutsche Zusammenarbeit, and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on Tuesday, stakeholders stressed the need to amend the NBA constitution to allow for virtual hearings to address possible delays in the system.

Elvis Asia, Managing Partner, Law future Partners, in his remark said that Virtual Court Hearing (VCH) provides a unique opportunity to increase the ease of doing business and act as a catalyst for boosting investment environment.

“The Nigerian Justice Administrative System introduced emergency rules for the use of virtual court hearing in the resolution of disputes. Although the rules are limited in scope in view of COVID-19, it provides a unique opportunity increase the ease of doing business”.

Asia explained that the ability to make and enforce contracts and resolve dispute is fundamental to proper market functionality.

Speaking further, Asia said that the opportunities offered by Virtual Court hearing includes; seamless communication and time management, reduction in time and cost for producing witnesses in court, time based adjournments, among others.

“Effective enforcement procedures enhances predictability in commercial relationship and reduces uncertainty by assuring investors that their contractual rights will be upheld promptly by local courts”.

“The challenges embedded in VCH includes; poor data security and confidentiality, constitutionality of VCH, presence of few court and judges in rural areas among others”.

Funmi Ajayi, MD, Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre, in her remark said that VCH is seamless and addresses delay in arbitration process.

“Virtual Court Hearing allows for continued and seamless access to justice”.

She said the COVID-19 pandemic has presented opportunities to explore the potentials of virtual court hearing in the resolution of commercial disputes.

Nduka Ikeyi, speaking on the need to address infrastructural gap, said there is need to ensure a more stable power supply as well as data connection.

“To have a seamless virtual court hearing proces in our judicial system, we must ensure that necessary facilities such as stable power supply, data connection, exist and are available to create a level playing ground for all”.

“The formalize this process, there is need for the NBA to create virtual court rooms in various jurisdictions where members can participate in court hearing “, he said.