Kano judiciary moves to enable speedy dispute resolution for SMEs

The Kano state judiciary has inaugurated a small claims court to
enable speedy resolution of commercial disputes for small and
medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

The launch was in partnership with the Presidential Enabling
Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which “aims to make Nigeria a
progressively easier place to do business”.

This is according to a statement signed by Jumoke Oduwole, PEBEC
secretary, on Tuesday.

Oduwole said the court will improve judicial process in the
state by providing easy access to cost-effective and fast
resolution of debt recovery disputes involving small claims of N5
million and below.

She said prior to the establishment of the small claims court,
the 2019 World Bank Doing Business report revealed that it takes an
average of 476 days for disputes to be resolved in the commercial
court in Kano.

It took an average of 447 days for similar matters to be
resolved in Lagos but with the launch of the small claims court,
all cases file are “expected to be heard and judgment delivered
within a maximum period of 60 days, with a further 30 days for
enforcement”.

Only one adjournment is allowed under exceptional circumstances,
while magistrates are to hear matters daily to conclusion, and are
enjoined to promote, encourage and facilitate negotiation among
parties.

The court also encourages self-representation, and adhere to
strict timelines for following key specified court events.

“We implore all small businesses to take advantage of the court
and to tell more stakeholders about them. It can only be as
efficient as we want it to be if we engage and use them,” said
Oduwole, who is also the senior special assistant (SSA) industry,
trade and investment to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Following the establishment of the small claims court in Lagos
in April 2018, it is reported that 90 percent of judgments
delivered from May to September 2018 were delivered within the
60-day timeline in compliance with the Lagos state magistrates’
practice directions on small claims.

This indicates substantial compliance in terms of timely
disposition of matters.

The small claims court is regulated by the practice directions
on small claims 2018 issued by the chief judge of Kano state
pursuant to the magistrate court law of 2018.