Cross River Judiciary Launches Small Claims Courts for Debt Recovery

The Cross River State Judiciary has recently unveiled its new initiative to establish Small Claims Courts for the speedy recovery of debts in business transactions.

This groundbreaking move aims to streamline the process and make it easier for individuals and businesses to recover their money without the need for lengthy and expensive court proceedings.

The Cross River State Judiciary, in collaboration with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), has trained 20 magistrates to preside over these new Small Claims Courts.

This training, which lasted for seven hours, provided magistrates with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle these cases efficiently and effectively.

Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Ikpeme, explained the rationale behind the establishment of these courts.

“Nigeria is evolving, and we are in a business interactive era. The aim of the small claims court is to simplify the process and remove the bureaucratic bottlenecks that often delay justice in regular courts,” she said.

Under the new system, individuals seeking to recover debts of up to N5 million will no longer need to hire a lawyer or navigate the complex legal system.

Instead, they can file their claims directly with the Small Claims Courts, provided they have the necessary documentation to support their case.

The introduction of these courts is expected to significantly reduce the time it takes to resolve disputes.

According to Justice Ikpeme, cases that previously took years to resolve can now be settled within 60 days, making the process of debt recovery much more efficient and accessible for all parties involved.

In addition to simplifying the process, the Small Claims Courts also aim to bring justice closer to the people.

“Justice has been brought closer to the doorsteps of the people as they do not need to go to the regular courts for small claims,” the Chief Judge explained.

Members of the public wishing to make a recovery of their money are encouraged to visit the Magistrate Court Complex in Moore Road, Calabar, to file their complaints.

With this innovative approach to debt recovery, the Cross River Judiciary is paving the way for a more efficient and accessible legal system in Nigeria.