The first quarter of 2025 witnessed landmark judicial decisions and policy advancements across Nigeria and key international jurisdictions, offering critical clarity on evolving legal issues. In Nigeria, the Supreme Court (“Supreme Court or SC”) and appellate courts delivered pivotal decisions on diverse matters including the scope of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) framework, the admissibility of evidence in litigation, and the assessment of damages in aviation-related claims. The courts also upheld regulatory restrictions in the broadcasting sector, affirming the legality of limitations on the direct relay of foreign news by terrestrial broadcasting stations.
List of Cases
CBN v Ochife & 3 Ors – Suit No: SC/CV/268/2021
Ezebube v, FRSC – [FHC/L/CS/253/2024]
Brittania-U (Nig.) Ltd. v. Chevron (Nig.) Ltd. [2025] 3 NWLR (Pt. 1979) 197
Mairami & Anor v. Gonidinari [2025] LPELR-80093(CA)
Ukegbu v. N.B.C. [2025] 2 NWLR (Pt. 1976) 283
Rivers State House of Assembly & Anor v Govt of Rivers State & Ors [2025] LPELR-80539 (SC)
Raphael v. Ubamacco Ventures Ltd [2025] 2 NWLR (Pt. 1975) 141
Anibaba v. Dana Airlines Limited & Anor [SC/CV/1191/2022]
TikTok Inc. v. Garland 604 U.S. [2025]
The Father v. Worcestershire County Council [2025] UKSC 1
Collins and 4 Ors v. Wind Energy Limited [2025] EWHC 4
Royal Bank of Canada v. Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs [2025] UKSC 2
Servis-Terminal LLC v Drelle [2025] EWCA CIV 62
Beyond case law, procedural innovations and policy developments took center stage. This edition of our quarterly newsletter examines the newly introduced High Court of the FCT, Abuja (Civil Procedure Rules) 2025, highlighting key innovations aimed at enhancing procedural efficiency, including stricter timelines for filings and expanded digital case management tools.
Internationally, courts addressed high-profile matters, from digital platform regulation in the United States to arbitration and tax treaty interpretation in the UK. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of restrictions on TikTok, while the UK Supreme Court clarified the limits of habeas corpus in child welfare cases and the taxation of oil revenues under international treaties. Meanwhile, arbitration and insolvency law saw notable judicial developments, with courts emphasizing procedural diligence in arbitration and refining the standards for recognizing foreign judgments in bankruptcy proceedings.
This edition of our Newsletter dissects these developments, providing insightful perspectives on their broader implications for legal practitioners, policymakers and businesses operating in an increasingly contentious regulatory environment. thoughtful discourse on the key legal developments shaping our current dispute resolution landscape.
Read the full newsletter for a deeper analysis of these developments and what they mean for dispute resolution in 2025.
