About Small Claims Courts

LEARN ABOUT SMALL CLAIMS COURTS

About Small Claims Court

The Small Claims Court was established in Bauchi State on February 15, 2023 as a Division of the District Courts to provide Claimants with an accessible, inexpensive and speedy resolution platform for Simple and Liquidated debt recovery disputes.

A Small Claims Court is a Special Court where you can sue for N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) or less. You cannot sue for rent or possession, or for pain or suffering or enforce a promise in a Small Claims Court.

If your Claim is more than N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira), you cannot split your Claim into smaller Claims to get around the limit of N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira)

Benefits of the Small Claims Courts

  1. The Small Claims Court has jurisdiction to entertain simple and liquidated debt recovery claims and Counter Claims not exceeding N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira).
  2. It saves time and cost of trial.
  3. There is quick and efficient resolution of disputes within 60 days of filing.
  4. There is limited adjournment (Fast-track proceedings)
  5. Self-Representation is encouraged (i.e. A Litigant does not need a lawyer to represent him in

Location of Courts

There are 9 active Small Claims Courts in Bauchi State and are as listed below:


  • • Small Claims Court 1
    Location: JSC Complex
  • • Small Claims Court 2
    Location: Games Village
  • • Small Claims Court 3
    Location: Azare
  • • Small Claims Court 4
    Location: Alkaleri
  • • Small Claims Court 5
    Location: Bogoro
  • • Small Claims Court 6
    Location: Darazo
  • • Small Claims Court 7
    Location: Misau
  • • Small Claims Court 8
    Location: Ningi
  • • Small Claims Court 9
    Location: Toro

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Small Claim?

    2. A small claim is a claim for money in any simple debt recovery with value not exceeding N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira)

  2. Where can you file a Small Claims Action?

    3. A Small Claims Action can be filed in designated Small Claims Court Registry located at Bauchi and Azare Magisterial District.
    It can be filed where you or the person you are claiming from lives, works or does business in any part of Bauchi State.

  3. Can the person I am suing sue me?

    4. Yes.
    The person you are suing can file a Small Claims Counter Claim against you. In the Small Claims Court, a Counter Claim can only be for money and the limit is N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira) (excluding interest and costs). The person suing can also admit a pat or the whole of the claim and judgement may be entered on his/her admission.

  4. How will I know if the Defendant files a Counter-Claim?

    5. A Defendant who intends to files a Counter Claim must do so within 7 (seven) days from the date of service of the Summons on him. You shall then be served with the Counter Claim by the Sheriff of the Court. If the Defendant sues me, will my case be adjourned? If vou receive notice of the Counter Claim before the date of your trial, you must be ready to present your claim and defend against the Counter Claim on the date of the trial. The case will not be adjourned because the defendant sues you except you were not served with the Defendant's Counter Claim before the date of the trial.

  5. Who tells the person I am suing about my claim?

    6. The Small Claims Court's Sheriff will serve the Defendant the Summons personally. If the defendant cannot be served personally, the Sheriff will file an Affidavit of Non-Service and the Court or the Registrar or an Officer of the Small Claims Registry will inform you of the need to file an application for another mode/type of service.

  6. Where do I get the Court Forms?

    7. You can get all forms for commencement, filing and prosecuting your Small Clilms action from the Small Claims Registly in Bauchi and Azare Magisterial District or the Small Claims Section of the High Court Central Registry in Bauchi State

  7. What do I do with my completed Form?

    8. Completed forms should be submitted to the Registrar or any person in charge of the Small Claims Registry in the Magisterial District where the claim is filed.