Civil Procedure Rules of Ghana (C.I. 47)
The High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47) govern how civil actions are commenced, pleaded, managed and tried in the High Court of Ghana. This guide outlines the route a suit takes from writ to execution and points to the Orders practitioners rely on most.
How a civil suit moves under C.I. 47
1. Commencement
The plaintiff issues a writ of summons with a statement of claim, pays the filing fees and effects service on the defendant. Service out of the jurisdiction requires the court's leave.
2. Appearance and defence
The defendant enters appearance within the time limited by the writ and files a defence (with any counterclaim). Failure to do either exposes the defendant to judgment in default.
3. Interlocutory applications
Applications such as summary judgment, injunctions, striking out, joinder of parties, amendment of pleadings and security for costs are taken by motion on notice supported by affidavit.
4. Case management and directions
The court convenes a pre-trial conference to settle issues, order discovery and inspection of documents, exchange witness statements and fix the trial timetable.
5. Trial
Evidence-in-chief is generally given by witness statement, followed by cross-examination and re-examination, then written or oral addresses.
6. Judgment, costs and execution
Judgment is delivered, costs are assessed, and the successful party may enforce by fieri facias, garnishee, judgment debtor summons or other modes of execution. Appeals follow the Court of Appeal Rules.
Orders practitioners cite most
Order 1
Application and interpretation
Sets the scope of the Rules for proceedings in the High Court and defines the terms used throughout C.I. 47.
Order 2
Commencement of proceedings
Civil proceedings are begun by writ of summons (or, where the Rules allow, by originating motion or petition), accompanied by a statement of claim.
Order 11
Pleadings
Governs the content, form and sequence of pleadings — statement of claim, defence, counterclaim and reply — and the requirement to plead material facts rather than evidence.
Order 14
Summary judgment
Allows a plaintiff to apply for judgment where there is no defence disclosed on the merits, supported by affidavit evidence.
Order 55
Judicial review
Sets out the procedure for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus and related public-law remedies, including the application for leave.
C.I. 47 has been amended several times, including by C.I. 87 and later instruments. Always confirm the current wording of an Order against the official text before filing; this page is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the instrument.
Research C.I. 47 in context
The LawandLegal research library indexes Ghanaian Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court judgments that interpret C.I. 47. Search for an Order or rule number to see how the courts have applied it, where applications have failed for procedural irregularity, and which decisions remain good law.
Firms using LawandLegal can attach the resulting passages to a case file, build a hearing bundle and generate submissions that carry the citations through to the drafted document.
Run your civil practice on the rules
Create a free LawandLegal account to track deadlines, save authorities and draft pleadings grounded in Ghanaian procedure.