Lagos-based lawyer and Managing Partner of Alexander Payne & Co., Bamidele Adeleye has described the publication of Supreme Court Judgments on Evidence (SCJE) as a great boost to the nation’s judicial system.

Speaking with Vanguard in Lagos, he disclosed that just like their first major publication-Intellectual Property Law Reports (1917-2011), the new publication will contribute immensely to the quick and effectual dispense of justice in Nigeria.

As Editor-in-Chief of the two publications, he said: “We discovered that Evidence is the root of justice. Justice should be dispensed in accordance with the evidence provided by the litigants to support their claim. It is very important for lawyers to know relevant decisions of the apex Court(Supreme Court) on the Evidence Act.”

The SCJE in published is 7 volumes covering Supreme Court judgments on Evidence from 1951- 2011.Each volume is 1000 pages.  Hardback and thread sewn to enable it withstand vigorous use.”

He continued: “Although the judgments were given under the old Evidence Act, cross-references are made in the Reports to Evidence Act 2011. This will enable lawyers and judges know under which sections of the new Evidence Act the judgments are relevant.

“Response of lawyers and the courts to the publication has been very encouraging. As a matter of fact, while we were clearing the books at the ports, lawyers had started paying for copies of the Reports. The SCJE is beautiful both in its contents and appearance. It is printed in the best printing press with latest digital technologies,” Adeleye said.

On the impact of the publication on the justice system, Adeleye said since evidence was vital to justice, lawyers and judges alike would find it valuable, adding that it took the publishers five years of hard work to compile the 7 volumes of SCJE, and according to him, “it is compiled for judges and lawyers.

He advised legal practitioners to avail themselves with the opportunity that the publication provides.