The Federal High Court will observe its annual Christmas and New Year break starting from 21 December, according to an announcement by the Chief Judge, John Tsoho.
The judicial recess is scheduled to conclude on 5 January, marking a two-week period where regular court proceedings will be suspended. To ensure that the administration of justice does not come to a total standstill, the Chief Judge has also moved to appoint vacation judges to handle urgent applications.
The announcement regarding the court’s holiday schedule ensures that matters requiring immediate judicial intervention, such as ex-parte motions and interlocutory injunctions, can still be heard during the festive period.
Appointment of vacation judges for urgent matters
During the vacation period, the Federal High Court will not conduct regular trials or long-drawn legal arguments. However, the presence of vacation judges is a standard procedural measure in the Nigerian judiciary. These judges are specifically designated to preside over applications that are time-sensitive and could cause irreparable damage to parties if delayed until the court’s full resumption in January.
The appointment of these judges is intended to maintain the stability of legal processes involving commercial disputes, federal regulatory matters, and urgent civil applications. Without this arrangement, the two-week break would create a vacuum in the legal system, potentially stalling critical business operations and the protection of legal rights.
The Federal High Court holds jurisdiction over specific matters including taxation, customs, company law, and fundamental rights enforcement at the federal level. Consequently, the holiday schedule affects a wide range of stakeholders, from corporate legal departments to private practitioners and litigants involved in high-stakes federal litigation.
Court registries are expected to manage the intake of urgent filings during this window, directing them to the designated vacation judges. Normal judicial activities and full court sittings are scheduled to resume on 6 January.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
