KDSJ.

Small claims court being a global concept and also a specialized court, operates in a unique manner when compared to District Court. The court is important in enhancing the ease of doing business in Kaduna State.

As a requirement for the establishment of the small claims court set out by Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Hon Chief Judge of Kaduna State set up a Small Claim Court Committee and the committee provided a legal framework for the smooth operation of the court which includes the small claims court Hand book and practice direction 2022 signed by the Hon CJ.

Today we have 19 designated small claims court spreads across the 3 senatorial zones of the state, which make us the only state with the highest number of small claims courts in Nigeria. In Kaduna, we have eight courts, in Zaria we have five courts while in Kafanchan we have six courts.

The handbook is meant to communicate to the general public on the operation of the small claim court, the handbook is written in English, Hausa, Igbo,Yoruba and pidgin for easy understanding. The procedure in Small Claims Court is cheaper, easier and faster compared to the conventional courts; litigant does not need a lawyer to file a case in the SCC, the registrars are trained to guide parties when filing a case. The Magistrates are well trained to guide parties on how they can handle their cases and avoid technical application of the law. Cases are disposed off within 60 days; adjournment is allowed only once and for good reasons.