The Kaduna State Judiciary has taken a decisive step towards modernising its justice system with the unveiling of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2025, and new affidavit forms by the Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Aliyu.
At the presentation ceremony on Tuesday, Justice Aliyu said the reforms were aimed at addressing longstanding issues within the civil justice system, including delays, procedural inefficiencies and the impact of emerging legal and technological developments. Judges, lawyers and other stakeholders were present at the event.
The Chief Judge noted that court rules must remain dynamic and responsive, as they provide the framework through which justice is administered. He said the revised rules were crafted to improve efficiency while ensuring fairness and accessibility for court users.
According to Justice Aliyu, the new rules are the outcome of broad consultations involving the Bench, the Bar, court staff and other stakeholders. He added that lessons were drawn from comparative best practices in other jurisdictions and tailored to suit the realities of Kaduna State.
He announced that the rules would come into force on Monday and are designed to streamline court processes, encourage the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution and reduce unnecessary technicalities. He said particular emphasis has been placed on speedy case resolution and amicable settlement of disputes.
The revised framework strengthens pre-trial procedures, introduces stricter timelines and provides sanctions to deter delays and misuse of court processes. It also embraces modern judicial practices, including electronic filing and virtual hearings, which are expected to lower costs and improve efficiency for litigants and lawyers.
Justice Aliyu emphasised that effective implementation would be critical to the success of the reforms. He urged judges to apply the new case management tools firmly and encouraged members of the Bar to maintain high standards of professionalism and integrity.
Reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to ongoing reform, the Chief Judge said the new Civil Procedure Rules represent a forward-looking approach that positions the Kaduna State Judiciary to meet the demands of contemporary justice delivery and enhance public confidence in the legal system.
