Africa: Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Given the high rate at which estates are springing up in the metropolitan cities in Nigeria, it is no longer unusual for the developers of the estates or the residents to set up residents' associations to pool together monetary contributions for the execution of community developments and environmental maintenance projects such as waste management, installation and maintenance of drainages, streetlighting and community security.

Some contracts insert a two-layer dispute resolution clause which demands that parties must first attempt to resolve their dispute by negotiation before resorting to litigation.

Arbitration has become a preferred method of resolving disputes in Nigeria because it is generally faster, more confidential, and more flexible than court proceedings.