ABSTRACT

The primary intention or objective of this thesis is to reiterate the importance of pre-colonial

method of dispute resolution, that is, African jurisprudence, which, in modern times, is

otherwise known as Alternative Dispute Resolution. ADR is a range of dispute resolution

mechanisms that are designed and available outside of, but supplementary to litigation. This

thesis intends to de-accentuate the necessity of adjudication as a mono-door for dispute

resolution. The research based on this thesis is focused on Alternative Dispute Resolution in

Lagos State and also looked at its applicability in the Lagos Multi Door Courthouse.

This thesis examines the provisions of Order 3 Rule 11 of the Lagos State Civil Procedure

Rules, 2012, which makes the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution, as a first resort,

compulsory for all disputants in Lagos State. Several arguments by different authors and legal

practitioners on the constitutionality of the said provision were looked at. It was the position

of this research work that the above provision does not impede on the right of a person to go

to court.

Furthermore, this thesis surveys the restorative justice aspect of Alternative Dispute

Resolution in the settlement of criminal disputes. The research examines the use of and the

applicability restorative justice in the Lagos Multi Door Courthouse. It also identified the

types of crimes that the LMDC has the capability to resolve.

It was concluded in this thesis that, though litigation is not an ineffectual method of dispute

resolution, where no other door of dispute resolution is available, the mono door of litigation

becomes congested, making litigation a high risk gamble. This is to emphasize the pertinence

of alternative methods of dispute resolution, which is quicker and has a win-win outcome,

against the adjudicatory mono-door method, that may spread over months or years.