ROLE OF MULTIDOOR COURTHOUSES IN ALTERNATIVEDISPUTES RESOLUTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Contemporary drive is to ensure the adoption of alternative
dispute resolution (ADR) as a means of settlement of disputes.
The idea of the multi-door courthouse was proposed and
recommended by Professor Sanders as a centre that is
capable of offering different options for the settlement of
disputes. This believe is what led to the development of
multidoor courthouses in Nigeria with Lagos State leading the
way. This work analysed the laws and practice of the Lagos
State Multi-door Courthouse, Abuja Multi-door Courthouse
and AkwaIbom State Multi-door Courthouse. The work
concluded that multi-door courthouses have encouraged
resort to ADR in the settlement of most cases than it was
before the introduction of multi-door courthouses in Nigeria.
It recommends the establishment of multidoor courthouses in
all States in Nigeria and the actual connection of ADR to all
courts in Nigeria as was proposed by Professor Sanders.