The jurisdiction of the Magistrate court has a flat rate. In Lagos state under the Magistrate Court Law, the flat rate is N10, 000, 000 (ten million). Their jurisdiction is in the following areas
- Personal actions arising from tort and contracts
- Action between landlord and tenant for possession
- Action for recovery of any penalty, rates, expenses etc
- Appointment of guardian ad litem
- Power to grant injunctions
A Magistrate court would have jurisdiction when excess of claim is abandoned. It does not have jurisdiction in issue of title to land or any interest in land; issue as to the validity of devise, bequest or limitation under any will or settlement.
District courts have civil jurisdiction in north. The Sharia Court of Appeal must be established for the FCT but for other states, it is optional. Same for Customary Court of Appeal.
Customary and Area Courts
In the south, it is the Customary court. In Lagos state, the AG of Lagos state is empowered under the Customary Court Law to establish a single grade of customary court. The Customary court has jurisdiction over persons who are subject to customary law. In the north, appeal lie from upper Area court to Sharia Court of Appeal.. The jurisdiction of the Area court is subject to that contained in the warrant establishing it.