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A Statement of Claim launches your legal case in Nigerian courts by spelling out exactly why you're suing someone and what you want from them. It's the formal document that tells the court and the defendant your side of the story - including what happened, how it harmed you, and what remedy you're seeking.

Under Nigerian civil procedure rules, your Statement of Claim must include specific details like dates, locations, and the legal basis for your case. It forms part of your originating process and needs to be filed along with a writ of summons at the appropriate court registry. The court will use this document as the foundation for the entire legal proceedings.

File a Statement of Claim when someone has breached a contract, caused you financial loss, or violated your legal rights in Nigeria, and informal resolution attempts have failed. This document starts your formal legal action, especially in cases involving business disputes, property rights, employment issues, or debt recovery.

Time matters - Nigerian law sets strict deadlines for filing claims, often between 3-6 years depending on the case type. Getting your Statement of Claim filed promptly helps preserve evidence, meets legal time limits, and shows the court you're serious about pursuing justice. It's particularly crucial in commercial disputes where delays could mean lost business opportunities or mounting financial damages.

• General Civil Claims: The most common type, used for contract disputes, debt recovery, and property matters - requires detailed facts and clear financial demands
• Fundamental Rights Claims: Used specifically for human rights violations under Nigerian constitutional law - focuses on specific rights breached and remedies sought
• Commercial Claims: Tailored for business disputes, featuring detailed financial records, contract terms, and business relationship history
• Land/Property Claims: Contains specialized sections for land ownership details, survey plans, and historical possession evidence
• Employment Claims: Structured to address workplace disputes, highlighting employment terms, duration of service, and specific workplace incidents

• Legal Practitioners: Draft and file Statements of Claim on behalf of clients, ensuring they meet Nigerian court requirements
• Individual Claimants: Initiate legal proceedings to seek remedies for personal injuries, contract breaches, or property disputes
• Corporate Entities: File claims for business disputes, debt recovery, or protection of commercial interests
• Court Registrars: Process and maintain filed Statements of Claim, ensuring proper documentation
• Defendants: Receive and respond to claims, often through their legal representatives
• Expert Witnesses: Provide specialized testimony or evidence referenced in complex claims

• Core Facts: Gather detailed dates, locations, and specific events related to your claim
• Documentation: Collect all relevant contracts, correspondence, receipts, and evidence supporting your case
• Parties' Details: Compile accurate names, addresses, and contact information for all involved parties
• Legal Basis: Identify specific laws or legal principles that support your claim
• Damages Assessment: Calculate and document all financial losses or damages with supporting evidence
• Timeline Check: Confirm you're within Nigeria's statute of limitations for your type of claim
• Court Selection: Determine the appropriate Nigerian court based on claim value and jurisdiction

• Title and Court Details: Full court name, suit number, and division
• Party Information: Complete names and addresses of claimant(s) and defendant(s)
• Claim Description: Clear statement of the nature and basis of the claim
• Material Facts: Chronological outline of events supporting the claim
• Legal Grounds: Specific laws or legal principles that justify the claim
• Relief Sought: Precise description of remedies or compensation demanded
• Particulars: Detailed breakdown of damages or specific instances of breach
• Verification Statement: Sworn statement confirming truth of claim contents

A Statement of Claim differs significantly from a Witness Statement in Nigerian legal proceedings. While both are court documents, they serve distinct purposes and appear at different stages of litigation.

• Primary Purpose: A Statement of Claim initiates legal action and outlines your case against the defendant, while a Witness Statement provides supporting evidence for an existing case
• Timing of Filing: The Statement of Claim comes first with your writ of summons, but Witness Statements are typically filed later during the evidence-gathering phase
• Content Focus: Claims detail your legal rights, damages, and desired remedies; Witness Statements narrate specific events or facts from a witness perspective
• Legal Effect: A Statement of Claim defines the scope of your entire case, whereas a Witness Statement serves as evidence to support specific elements of that case