Unit

CHIEF REGISTRAR (LITIGATION)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHIEF REGISTRAR

The Chief Registrar is the administrative head and chief accounting officer of the High Court of Justice. The office serves as the link between the judiciary, executive, legislative arms, and the public.

  • Administrative Leadership
    • Supervises all departments, units, and staff of the High Court.
    • Ensures effective day-to-day running of the courts across the state.
    • Oversees the work of other registrars (Deputy Chief Registrar, Assistant Chief Registrars, Senior Registrars, etc.).
    • Coordinates posting, deployment, and discipline of administrative staff (subject to Judicial Service Commission guidelines).
    • Ensures compliance with court policies, procedures, and ethics.
  • Financial Management
    • Serves as the Chief Accounting Officer of the High Court.
    • Prepares and manages the annual budget of the judiciary.
    • Oversees release and utilization of funds, procurement, and financial records.
    • Ensures transparency, accountability, and compliance with financial regulations.
    • Submits financial reports to the Kaduna State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and relevant oversight bodies.
  • Custodian of Court Records & Processes
    • Ensures proper maintenance, safety, and integrity of court records.
    • Oversees filing, registration of cases, issuance of court processes, and records management.
    • Supervises the production, certification, and release of court documents such as orders, judgments, warrants, affidavits, and enrolment of orders.
    • Ensures the confidentiality and security of sensitive court information.
  • Support to the Chief Judge
    • Acts as the principal administrative adviser to the Chief Judge (CJ).
    • Assists the CJ in implementing judicial policies and reforms.
    • Facilitates communication between the CJ and all courts, divisions, and staff.
    • Coordinates the CJ's administrative assignments, meetings, and directives.
  • Human Resource Management
    • Oversees recruitment, promotions, posting, and welfare of non-judicial staff.
    • Ensures staff discipline, conducts queries, and recommends sanctions to the JSC.
    • Organizes trainings, workshops, and capacity-building programs for staff.
  • Caseflow and Court Operations Management
    • Ensures smooth assignment, tracking, and movement of cases.
    • Monitors the efficiency of courtrooms, scheduling, and judicial support services.
    • Ensures that court sittings are properly prepared with necessary facilities and documentation.
    • Coordinates the activities of bailiffs, process servers, interpreters, and clerical staff.
  • Liaison and Representation
    • Represents the High Court in official matters involving other government bodies.
    • Serves as liaison between the judiciary and Ministry of Justice, security agencies, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), State House of Assembly, civil society, and the general public.
    • Handles correspondences, official communications, and public relations.
  • Administration of Judiciary Funds & Payroll
    • Oversees salaries, allowances, pensions, and staff entitlements.
    • Ensures proper financial oversight over court fees, fines, receipts, commitment fees, service fees, and other statutory revenue streams.
  • Court Infrastructure & Logistics Management
    • Supervises maintenance of court buildings, vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
    • Ensures courtrooms have adequate materials—stationery, furniture, recording equipment, etc.
    • Oversees procurement and distribution of logistics to divisions and departments.
  • Legal and Administrative Responsibility
    • Administers oaths for affidavits, public officers, and legal practitioners (during enrolment).
    • Ensures compliance with judicial service rules, laws, and High Court procedures.
    • Participates in judicial policy development and implementation.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF REGISTRAR (O.C.R) – STRUCTURE & FUNCTIONS

The Office of the Chief Registrar includes several departments that work under the Chief Registrar’s supervision. Major units typically include:

  • Litigation Department
    • Filing and processing of cases
    • Keeping cause lists
    • Management of court processes and records
  • Accounts and Finance Department
    • Budgeting
    • Funds management
    • Payroll
    • Revenue collection
    • Audit compliance
  • Administration & Personnel Department
    • Staff matters
    • Posting and discipline
    • Training
    • Welfare affairs
  • Probate Registry
    • Wills and letters of administration
    • Estate management
    • Fees and probate processes
  • Sheriff & Bailiff Department
    • Execution of court orders
    • Service of court processes
    • Enforcement duties
  • ICT & E-Judiciary Unit
    • Digital filing
    • Case management systems
    • ICT support for courts
  • Library Services
    • Law library management
    • Research support for judges and staff
  • Procurement Unit
    • Supply of goods and services
    • Contract processing
    • Resource management

Unit

DEPUTY CHIEF REGISTRAR (LITIGATION)

INTRODUCTION

The Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation) is the head of all litigation-related activities in the High Court. The office ensures smooth filing, processing, assignment, management, and movement of cases across all judicial divisions The DCR (Litigation) works under the supervision of the Chief Registrar and is responsible for coordinating all court registrars, litigation staff, and litigation processes.

A. CORE DUTIES OF THE DCR (LITIGATION)

  • Case Filing and Registration Management
    • Supervises the filing, registration, and assignment of all civil, criminal, and appeal matters.
    • Ensures proper documentation of originating processes, motions, affidavits, and pleadings.
    • Oversees the allocation of suit numbers and maintenance of case registers.
    • Ensures that cases are filed in accordance with the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules.
  • Caseflow and Docket Management
    • Monitors the movement of cases from filing to judgment.
    • Ensures prompt preparation of cause lists for all courtrooms.
    • Coordinates the scheduling and rescheduling of cases.
    • Tracks cases to avoid delays, congestion, or file disappearance.
  • Supervision of Court Registrars & Litigation Staff
    • Oversees all Senior Registrars, Registrars, Assistant Registrars, and litigation officers.
    • Ensures proper courtroom management and support for Judges.
    • Monitors performance, discipline, and conduct of litigation staff.
    • Coordinates posting of litigation personnel to courtrooms, divisions, and units.
  • Custody and Management of Court Records
    • Ensures proper custody, safety, and retrieval of case files.
    • Supervises recording, preparation, and certification of court proceedings and judgments.
    • Oversees the compilation of records for appeals to the Court of Appeal/Supreme Court.
    • Ensures compliance with record-keeping standards and confidentiality protocols.
  • Enforcement and Service of Court Processes
    • Supervises the activities of bailiffs and process servers.
    • Ensures timely service of court processes—writs, notices, summons, orders, motions, and judgments.
    • Coordinates the execution of court orders such as warrants, garnishee orders, judgments, and committal orders.
    • Ensures proper documentation and returns of service.
  • Liaison and Coordination
    • Acts as the main liaison between the Litigation Department and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ministry of Justice, Security agencies, and Prisons/Correctional Service.
    • Handles litigation-related complaints, inquiries, and conflict resolution.
  • Review and Quality Control of Court Processes
    • Ensures that court processes filed by litigants comply with procedural rules.
    • Oversees vetting of draft orders, records of proceedings, and enrollment of orders.
    • Ensures accuracy, completeness, and legal sufficiency of litigation documentation.
  • Courtroom Administration
    • Ensures all courtrooms are properly equipped for proceedings.
    • Oversees production and distribution of cause lists, case files, and docket sheets.
    • Coordinates interpreters, clerks, stenographers, and secretarial support for Judges.
    • Ensures courtroom etiquette and orderliness.
  • Compliance with Rules and Regulations
    • Ensures strict adherence to High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), and Judicial Service Commission regulations.
    • Guides litigation staff on proper application of procedural rules.
  • Reporting and Documentation
    • Prepares monthly and periodic reports on case statistics, filings, judgments delivered, case backlogs, and execution of processes.
    • Submits reports to the Chief Registrar and Chief Judge.
    • Provides data for judicial performance review and policy decision-making.
  • Training and Capacity Building
    • Identifies training needs of litigation staff.
    • Organizes workshops on civil procedure, criminal procedure, and courtroom management.
    • Ensures continuous professional development for registrars and bailiffs.
  • Acting Capacity
    • Acts for the Chief Registrar when so designated, especially on litigation matters.
    • Represents the Chief Registrar in litigation-related committees or meetings.

B. KEY UNITS UNDER THE DCR (LITIGATION)

  • Filing Unit
  • Litigation Registry
  • Certification Unit
  • Records & Appeals Unit
  • Process Unit
  • Court Registrars (across divisions)
  • Court Interpreters & Clerical Support Staff