OVERVIEW OF THE NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT OF NIGERIA CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES 2017

Abstract

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria is a Court of superior record established to hear and determine labour and industrial matters and other related cases. The Nigerian government’s attempt to providing an efficient and effective legal frame work for the settlement of trade dispute dates back to 1941 when the Trade Disputes (Arbitration and Inquiry ((Lagos)) Ordinance of 1941 was promulgated. The Ordinance only empowered the Minister of Labour to intervene by means of conciliation, formal inquiry and arbitration where negotiations between the parties had broken down. A way forward came on 31st day of May, 2006 when the National Assembly passed the National Industrial Court Act, 2006 and was assented to by the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 14th day of June, 2006. The Act established the National Industrial Court as a Superior Court of record and conferred exclusive jurisdiction on the Court with respect to labour and industrial relations matters. The Third (3rd) Alteration to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has some modifications and the President of the Court is empowered to provide civil procedure rules to set the Court on its feet. This work is predicated on the innovations brought about by the Court’s Rules of Procedure (2017 Rules) which are innovative in many circles and a break through to justice. The 2017 Rules of Court lives to guarantee justice in Nigeria as such we recommend that the spirit behind these innovations be kept alive and burning with greater enthusiasm to deliver more.