AN APPRAISAL OF FRONTLOADING SYSTEM UNDER THE HIGH COURT CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES IN NIGERIA AND THE LEGAL EFFECT OF PLEADED DOCUMENT NOT FRONTLOADED
Abstract
This research aims to provide an appraisal of the frontloading system under the High Court Civil
Procedure Rules in Nigeria and examines the legal effect of documents that are not frontloaded.
The frontloading system is a new approach to civil litigation in Nigeria, which requires parties to
file and exchange all relevant documents they intend to rely upon before the trial begins. The
research further examines the implications of non-compliance with the frontloading requirements,
the burden of proof on parties, and the admissibility of documents not frontloaded. It argues that
failure to frontload documents may result in legal consequences such as the court striking out of
the pleadings or evidence or preventing the parties from relying on non-frontloaded documents.
The research concludes by emphasizing the importance of parties understanding the frontloading
system in civil litigation and complying with the requirements to ensure a fair and just trial.
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