Intellectual property disputes in Nigeria are resolved through the Federal High Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over IP matters under Section 251(1)(f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. The court handles trademark infringement, passing off, copyright infringement, patent disputes, and related matters.
Litigation is not always the most efficient route to resolution. Mediation can offer a confidential, faster, and commercially sensitive alternative, particularly where the parties have an ongoing relationship or where the primary objective is securing compliance rather than obtaining a judgment.
Lara Kayode is a CEDR-accredited mediator (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, London, since 2005) and a member of the panel of neutrals at the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse. She brings that mediation experience to IP disputes where a negotiated resolution may serve the client’s interests better than contested proceedings.
We advise clients on enforcement strategy, the preparation and conduct of IP litigation in the Federal High Court, settlement negotiations, and mediation and arbitration of IP disputes. We also advise on the IP aspects of commercial disputes, including breach of licence, ownership disputes, and competitor infringement.