AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF MULTI-DOOR COURTHOUSE ON JUSTICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The emergence of the Multi-Door Courthouse (MDC) became a distinctive instrument in addressing the inherent challenges of the formal Court system. This paper critically examines the impact of the MDC on justice delivery. It adopted a qualitative approach to research methods which relied on secondary data. The study found delivery of timely and friendly justice, promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), changes the court role of the Court from conflict escalator to conflict transformation, and relieving of court congestion, among others, as impactful roles of MDC. The work also found that the model provides numerous doors for litigants, improves the skills of lawyers and judges, produces mutually and confidential solutions, gives enforceable outcomes, and increases ADR knowledge seekers. Despite the model significant impacts, it faces challenges such as loss of its essential features, dearth of ADR professionals, misconceptions, lack of uniformity, and nonbinding coupled with the flexibility of the process. The study concluded that the success of the model has led to a gradual shift of psyche of stakeholders that justice can be obtained through numerous approaches provided by the multi-door concept. In addressing the identified challenges, the study recommended that the models should be allowed to play the role of complementing the court system rather than annexing it, recruiting and constantly training ADR practitioners, orientation of stakeholders about the model, and formulating operational policy across the globe. Making the process binding once the parties submitted to it is also fundamental.