The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho has amended the court’s practice directions on payment of default fees for filing of processes to reflect the two months lost to the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) strike.
Consequently, the court has exempted the period of the strike in its computation for filling of court processes or payment of default fees for extension.
The amendment will come into effect from Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
The JUSUN observed an indefinite strike between April 6 and June 9 to press home its demands for States and Federal Government to comply with constitutional and judicial provisions for financial autonomy for the Judiciary.
The strike was called off on Thursday, following a deal between the parties.
The CJ announced an amendment of the practice directions in a statement on Friday.
He said: “WHEREAS by the reason of the strike action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (Known as JUSUN strike) which affected court proceedings and filing of processes in court for the period from the 6th day of April, 2021 to the 14 day of June, 2021.
“AND WHEREAS it has become essential to make Practice Directions to provide guidelines for the computation of time for the payment of default fees for extension of time for filing of processes in the Federal High Court of Nigeria for that period.
“Now therefore, I, John Terhemba Tsoho, The Honourable, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria pursuant to the powers conferred on me by Section 254 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and pursuant to the provisions of Order 48 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, hereby issue the following Practice Directions:
“1. Computation of time for filing of court processes and payment of default fees for extension of time.
“Notwithstanding the provisions of Order 48 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 on computation of time for filing of court processes or doing an act as provided by the rules and payment of default fees for extension of time thereof, the period covering the JUSUIN strike action, being from the 6th day of April, 2021 to the 14 day of June, 2021, is hereby exempted.
“2. Applicability: These Practice Directions shall, save to the extent or as may be otherwise directed by the Chief Judge, apply to both criminal and civil causes and matters in the Federal High Court.
“Citation: These Practice Directions shall be cited as the Federal High Court (Exemption of Payment of Default Fees for Filing of Processes) Practice Directions (No. 2) 2021.
“Commencement: These Practice Directions shall come into effect from Tuesday 15th day of June, 2021. Dated this 11 day of June, 2024.”
