From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja
The Federal High Court has begun virtual proceedings and electronic means of serving court processes (documents), including hearing notices.
The innovation is captured in the court’s new Practice Directions 2020 issued on Monday by its Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
The practice direction is intended to guide court proceedings for the period of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Nation learnt that the new practice direction is the court’s reaction to the recent recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) that courts adopt measures that suit the current situation.
Some states, including Lagos, have also adopted virtual or remote court hearing in line with the social distancing requirement in the prevailing COVID-19 era.
The new practice direction of the Federal High Court, it was learnt, took effect o .
It was gathered that virtual proceedings can only be conducted in a case with the consent of the parties.
