Commercial Division suit

Stage by stage

1. 01

   File writ with all documents relied on

   Plaintiff / Applicant · C.I. 47 Order 58 r.3 · day 0

   Commercial writs must be accompanied by every document relied on and the witness statements — you cannot hold documents back.

   Time limit: All documents relied on must be filed with the writ; late documents need leave.

   Form: Writ with all documents relied on annexed — Order 58 r.3 — confirm the form number against the current print

   Assemble: Writ, Statement of claim, All documents relied on, Witness statements

   Official cost: Witness statement / bundle of documents — GH₵90.00 (C.I. 86 Sch. 1, Pt. II — filings) · Writ of summons — GH₵220.00 (C.I. 86 Sch. 1, Pt. II (High Court) — commencement)

   Filing without the complete document bundle; late documents need leave.

2. 02

   Appearance and defence with documents

   Defendant / Respondent · C.I. 47 Order 58 r.4 · day 22

   Defence must likewise carry all documents and witness statements relied on.

   Time limit: Appearance and defence, with documents, within the Order 58 r.4 timetable.

   Assemble: Defence, Defendant's documents, Witness statements

   Official cost: Pleading (defence, reply, counterclaim) — GH₵90.00 (C.I. 86 Sch. 1, Pt. II — subsequent pleadings) · Witness statement / bundle of documents — GH₵90.00 (C.I. 86 Sch. 1, Pt. II — filings)

3. 03

   Pre-trial settlement conference (compulsory ADR)

   Court · C.I. 47 Order 58 r.5 — within 30 days, concluded in 30 days · day 45

   The pre-trial judge explores settlement. Attend with a client representative who can bind the party.

   Time limit: Settlement conference within 30 days of the close of pleadings, concluded within 30 days.

   Authority: Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 798) ss.63-72

   Sending counsel without settlement authority wastes the window.

4. 04

   Set down for trial

   Court · C.I. 47 Order 58 r.6 · day 80

   Where settlement fails, the pre-trial judge issues a report and the case is set down.

   Time limit: Set down promptly where ADR fails (Order 58 r.6).

5. 05

   Trial and written addresses

   Court · C.I. 47 Order 58 r.7 · day 110

   Trial is on the filed statements; the division aims to deliver judgment promptly.

   Time limit: Written addresses on the timetable fixed at trial.

   Assemble: Written address

   Official cost: Writ of summons — GH₵220.00 (C.I. 86 Sch. 1, Pt. II (High Court) — commencement)

Official court costs are drawn from the C.I. 86 (2014) as amended — schedule v1 schedule and are recovered from the client at cost, separately from professional fees. Registries assess some charges per page or per mile.

This roadmap is a planning aid, not legal advice. Rules are amended and the court may give directions that displace these defaults — always verify against the cited rule.