On 30 June 2026, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (the Chief Justice), in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 236 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and Order 22 Rule 5 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2024, issued the Supreme Court (Mandatory Upload of Electronic Copies of Processes, Record of Appeal, and Other Matters) Practice Directions, 2026 (the Practice Directions), which took effect on 1 July 2026. The Practice Directions are aimed at improving timeliness, case management, access to court records, and the administration of justice at the Supreme Court.
Aligned with the ongoing digital transformation of the Nigerian judiciary under the leadership of the Chief Justice, the Practice Directions introduce mandatory electronic filing obligations and an integrated case management framework, representing a necessary reform aimed at strengthening the efficiency and administration of appellate justice at the Supreme Court.
In this newsletter, we review the key provisions of the Practice Directions and assess their likely impact on appellate practice before the Supreme Court.
