Nigeria: Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

Modern legal practice has long evolved beyond witnesses testifying fully in court for their evidence-in-chief.2 To save valuable judicial time by expediting proceedings, and to enhance the due administration of justice, witnesses in civil proceedings now adopt their pre-prepared written statements at trial.

In line with the judiciary’s commitment towards embracing digital innovation and improving access to justice, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, issued the Supreme Court (Mandatory Upload of Electronic Copies of Processes, Record of Appeal, and Other Matters) Practice Directions, 2026 on 1st July 2026 pursuant to section 236 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and in alignment with relevant provisions of the Supreme Court Rules 2024.

Third-party funding (TPF) has become an increasingly significant feature of international arbitration, driven by the rising costs of resolving complex commercial disputes and the growing maturity of the funding industry. Recognising this development, Nigeria's Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 (AMA) expressly permits third-party funding in arbitrations seated in Nigeria by abolishing the common law torts of maintenance and champerty in this context and introducing a statutory disclosure regime.

The age-old legal maxim: interesse rei publicae ut sit finis litium, meaning “it is in the public interest that there be an end to litigation,” does not always reflect the post-judgment reality in Nigeria.

When a company enters receivership, control typically shifts to the receiver—but what happens when the very basis of that control is challenged?

Shareholder disputes are a major governance issue in Nigerian private companies. Because these companies are often closely held, with overlapping owners and managers, and limited ability to sell shares, disagreements can quickly turn into long legal battles.

Commercial dispute resolution in Nigeria is being reshaped by third-party funding and asset tracing mechanisms. While the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 has abolished champerty doctrines in arbitration contexts, traditional common law restrictions persist in court litigation, creating a complex legal landscape where funding viability increasingly depends on enforceable asset identification and preservation strategies.

When Southampton Football Club was expelled from the EFL Championship Play-Offs just days before the Wembley final, it marked one of English football's most consequential disciplinary decisions. What legal principles justified such a severe sanction for observing rival teams' training sessions?

It is 2026, and it is clear to all by now that Technology and AI are fast reshaping every facet of life, business dispute resolution practices included.