The Niger State Judiciary has introduced updates to the practice direction for Small Claims Courts to enhance access to justice and build public confidence in the judicial system in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by Barrister Amina Laminde Musa Saidu, the Chief Registrar of the Niger State High Court.

According to him, this revised direction, published in State Gazette No. 16 of 2025, supersedes the 2018 guidelines and reflects the judiciary’s commitment to improving access to justice, expediting dispute resolution, and enhancing court efficiency.

He disclosed that the financial threshold for Small Claims Courts has been raised from ₦3 million to ₦5 million to allow more litigants to pursue debt recovery and related claims efficiently and at reduced costs.

“Article 5 has been revised to simplify the service of summons, now allowing for substituted service via electronic mail, which aims to improve clarity, transparency, and timelines in notifying parties and minimizing delays.”

“Article 14 has been simplified to ensure rapid access to appellate review without unnecessary technicalities, and appeals are expected to be resolved within 30 days.”

“Article 15 provides guidelines facilitating court operations, ensuring consistency and efficiency in court proceedings,” Saidu stated.

The Chief Registrar emphasised that the updated provisions take immediate effect, as the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Halima I. Abdul Malik, has said the reforms demonstrate the judiciary’s steadfast dedication to enhancing access to justice and building public confidence in the judicial system.

The judiciary also urged all stakeholders to familiarize themselves with these new provisions to maximize the use of Small Claims Courts for resolving simple debt recovery matters.

Furthermore, the statement added that the CJ has expanded the number of Small Claims Courts in the state from two to fourteen, which are now located in magistrate courts across Niger State.