Share!
ECOWAS Court adopts new guidelines to drive efficiency
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has officially adopted new rules of procedure titled: “New Instructions to the Chief Registrar and Practice Directions (2025)”, aimed at enhancing efficiency and procedural integrity.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Felicien Hounkanrin, the court’s Acting Head of Public Information and External Relations, on Saturday in Abuja.
Hounkanrin said that the updated guidelines reinforced the court’s commitment to providing effective access to justice for the citizens of the ECOWAS subregion.
He said that the adoption of the guidelines stemmed from the recommendations of the Judicial Retreat held from Nov. 12 to Nov. 15, 2023 and the Judges’ Retreat held from Nov. 15 to Nov. 19, 2023.
“The revised documents consolidate and supplement the Instructions to the Chief Registrar and Practice Directions of 2012.
“They also consolidate and supplement the 2020 Practice Directions on Electronic Case Management and Virtual Court Sessions, addressing procedural gaps and improving case management.
“These updates are issued under Article 12 and Article 100 of the Court’s Rules, empowering the Court to establish procedural guidelines and ensure the proper conduct of Parties, Agents, Advisers, and Counsel,” Hounkanrin said.
According to him, the guidelines are available in the three official languages of ECOWAS: English, French, and Portuguese, ensuring accessibility across the ECOWAS Community.
Je said that the highlights and benefits of the new rules of procedure included the streamlining of case management, monitoring and compliance, expedited procedures, and enhanced language accessibility, among others.
“Applications must comply with specified page limits to ensure expediency; Initiating Applications and Statements of Defence are limited to 15 pages, Replies and Rejoinders to 10 pages, and other applications to 5 pages.
“The Chief Registrar is tasked with ensuring adherence to filing deadlines, issuing Certificates of Non-lodgement in cases of non-compliance, and delisting dormant cases where appropriate.
“Parties requiring interpretation in non-working languages of the court may formally request such services, with provisions for freelance interpreters under ECOWAS-approved conditions.
“Clear timelines and processes for raising preliminary objections and consolidating cases are outlined to streamline proceedings,” he said.
The court’s spokesman said that the new directives were grounded in the court’s continuous efforts to address procedural challenges and uphold the principles of justice and equity.
“Legal practitioners, litigants, and stakeholders are, therefore, encouraged to review these documents to align with the newly adopted procedure by the Court,” he said
No related posts.
