CIVIL DRAFTS: GUIDELINES TO DRAFTING A WRIT OF SUMMON

WRIT OF SUMMON IN LAGOS STATE

TAKE NOTE, writ of summon is one of the mode of commencing action in the High Court.

THE DRAFT GUIDE

So, I have divided it into 3 Parts for better understanding

PART A: THE BEGINNING

a)      Heading of the Court

b)      Reference No (Suit No)

c)      Parties and designation

d)     Address of the Defendant within jurisdiction (TO

e)      BODY

i.                    Call for Action

ii.                  Failure to respond to the call

f)       Date

g)      By Order of the Court

h)      Attestation by the Registrar

PART B: MEMORANDUM TO BE SUBSCRIBED TO THE WRIT

a)      Writ life span + Renewal time

b)      How the defendant will appear

PART C: ENDORSEMENT

a)      Endorsement of claim

b)      Endorsement of Service

 

THE DRAFT

PART A

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE

     IN THE LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION

            HOLDEN AT LAGOS

                                                                                                   SUIT NO:…………

BETWEEN

ROYAL ESTATES LIMITED………………..                                           CLAIMANT

AND

CHIEF JOSEPH LAMBE……………………………….                       DEFENDANT

TO:

CHIEF JOSEPH LAMBE OF 1, LAMBE CLOSE, IKOYI, LAGOS

IN THE: ETI OSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

            You are hereby commanded that within forty-two (42) days after the service of this Writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in an action at the suit of the CLAIMANT, and take notice that in default of your so doing, the CLAIMANT may proceed therein, and judgment may be given in your absence.

DATED THIS …………12^th ………..DAY OF ………DECEMBER…..2016

                                    ……………………………………..

                                                (REGISTRAR)

PART B

NB: This Writ is to be served within six month from the date thereof, or, if renewed, within three months from the date of the last renewal, including the day of such date, and not afterwards.

The Defendant may enter appearance personally or by Legal Practitioner either by handing in the appropriate forms, duly completed, at the Registry of the High Court of Judicial division in which the action is brought or by sending them to the Registry by registered post.

PART C

ENDORSEMENT

The Claimant claims against the Defendant as follows:

1.      AN ORDER FOR GENERAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT in the sum of N11,000,000.00 ( Eleven Million Naira) .

2.      AN ORDER FOR SPECIAL DAMAGES, for all the expenses incurred in the course of commencing this action in the sum of N 9,000,000,00 (Nine Million, Naira).

This writ was issued by S.O Derin Es            q. of JOQUAM & CO CLAIMANT’S SOLICITOR whose address for service is NO. 1, LAW SCHOOL DRIVE, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS, agent for………………of……………………………….. Legal practitioner for the said claimant who resides at………………………… Indorsement  of address of legal practitioner to be made on the copy of the writ or forthwith after service.

                                                                                  

  S.O Derin ESQ.

                                                                        JOQUAM & CO

                                                                        CLAIMANT’S COUNSEL

                                                                        NO 1, LAW SCHOOL DRIVE, V.I LAGOS

                                                                       

                                                Indorsed as to service

This Writ was served by me……………………………………at………………on the Defendant accompanied by the following documents:

a)      A Statement of Claim.

b)      A list of witnesses to be called at the trial

c)      Written Statement on oath of the witnesses except witnesses on subpoena

d)     Copies of every document to be relied on at the trial;

e)      Pre-action protocol Form   01.

(Personal Service) on the ………………day of………………………2016

Indorsed the……………………………..day of……………………..20…………

……………………..

(Signed)

…………………….

(Address)