The 2026 Annual Legal Vacation period has commenced across several superior courts in Nigeria. Legal practitioners, litigants and other court users are advised to take note of the respective vacation periods and the arrangements for the hearing of urgent matters during the vacation.
The vacation periods for the following superior courts are as follows:
High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
The 2026 Annual Legal Vacation of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, commenced on Monday, 3 August 2026 and will end on Friday, 25 September 2026.
Urgent matters will be entertained by designated Vacation Judges during the vacation period.
High Court of Lagos State
The Annual Legal Vacation of the High Court of Lagos State commenced on Monday, 20 July 2026 and will end on Friday, 18 September 2026.
Urgent matters will be entertained by designated Vacation Judges during the vacation period.
Federal High Court
The 2026 Annual Legal Vacation of the Federal High Court commences on Monday, 27 July 2026 and will end on Friday, 11 September 2026.
Urgent matters will be entertained by designated Vacation Judges during the vacation period.
National Industrial Court of Nigeria
The 2026 Annual Legal Vacation of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria commences on Friday, 31 July 2026 and will end on Monday, 28 September 2026.
Urgent matters will be entertained by designated Vacation Judges during the vacation period.
Rivers State High Court
The 2026 Annual Legal Vacation of the Rivers State High Court commenced on Monday, 20 July 2026 and will end on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. Normal court sittings are expected to resume on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
All judicial divisions of the High Court will remain closed during the vacation period. However, urgent matters requiring immediate judicial intervention will be handled by designated Vacation Judges appointed by the Chief Judge.
Abia State High Court
The 2026 Annual Legal Vacation of the Abia State High Court commenced on Monday, 3 August 2026 and will end on Friday, 25 September 2026.
During the vacation period, designated Vacation Courts will remain available to hear urgent matters requiring immediate judicial attention.
Court of Appeal
The 2026 Annual Legal Vacation of the Court of Appeal commenced on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 and will end on Thursday, 10 September 2026.
Urgent matters will be entertained by designated Vacation Panels during the vacation period.
Supreme Court of Nigeria
The 2026 Annual Legal Vacation of the Supreme Court of Nigeria commenced on Friday, 17 July 2026 and will end on Monday, 21 September 2026.
Important Note
The Annual Legal Vacation does not necessarily mean that the courts will be completely inaccessible throughout the stated periods. Where applicable, urgent matters may be heard by designated Vacation Judges or Vacation Panels in accordance with the arrangements of the respective courts.
Legal practitioners and litigants with matters requiring urgent attention should therefore ascertain the applicable vacation arrangements of the particular court and comply with any prescribed procedure for bringing urgent matters before the designated Vacation Judges or Panels.
Source: Notice of the 2026 Annual Legal Vacation dates as circulated for the respective superior courts.
If you found this helpful, please share it on social media — it only takes a click.