ECOWAS Court Adopts New Instructions To Chief Registrar, Practice Directions

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has adopted the Instructions to the Chief Registrar and Practice Directions (2025) aimed at enhancing efficiency and procedural integrity.

In a statement issued by the court’s Communications Division, it said the updates reinforced the Court’s commitment to providing effective access to justice for the citizens of the sub-region.

The adoption of the updated guidelines stems from the recommendations of the Judicial Retreat held from November 12-15, 2023 and the Judges’ Retreat held from November 15 – 19, 2023. The revised documents consolidate and supplement the Instructions to the Chief Registrar and Practice Directions of 2012, as well as the 2020 Practice Directions on Electronic Case Management and Virtual Court Sessions, addressing procedural gaps and improving case management.

The key highlights of the New Instructions and Practice Directions include; Streamlined Case Management which entails that application must comply with specified page limits to ensure expediency. It also entails that initiating applications and statements of defence are limited to 15 pages, replies and rejoinders to 10 pages, and other applications to five pages.

Additionally, it said applications must adhere to technical specifications, including A4 paper size, Times New Roman font, and font size 12 or higher.

On Monitoring and Compliance, the Instructions imply that the Chief Registrar is tasked with ensuring adherence to filing deadlines, issuing Certificates of Non-lodgement in cases of non-compliance, and delisting dormant cases where appropriate.

On Expedited Procedures, it stipulates that urgent applications for expedited procedures or interim measures are prioritised, with translations of pleadings given precedence.

Similarly, on Enhanced Language Accessibility, the Instruction said parties requiring interpretation in non-working languages of the court may formally request such services, with provisions for freelance interpreters under ECOWAS-approved conditions.

For Compensation and Damages, awards are to be made in the currency of the respondent state, with flexibility for conversion using prevailing exchange rates published by the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).

On Preliminary Objections and Consolidation of Cases, clear timelines and Processes for raising preliminary objections and consolidating cases are outlined to streamline proceedings.

On Intervention and Amicus Curiae Participation, provisions have been made for third-party interventions and submissions by amicus curiae to ensure broader stakeholder engagement in cases.

According to the statements, these updates were issued under Article 12 and Article 100 of the Court’s Rules, empowering it to establish procedural guidelines and ensure the proper conduct of parties, their agents, advisers, and counsel.

The new directives are grounded in the court’s continuous efforts to address procedural challenges and uphold the principles of justice and equity.

The Instructions to the Chief Registrar and Practice Directions (2025) are available in English, French, and Portuguese, ensuring accessibility across the ECOWAS Community.

“Legal practitioners, litigants, and stakeholders are encouraged to review these documents to align with the newly adopted procedure by the court,” the statement said.