Jaded Law

Jaded Law Answering common Legal Questions on Nigerian Law.

A GOOD CASE CAN STILL BE LOSTHaving a good story is not the same thing as having a good case.You may know exactly what h...
28/07/2026

A GOOD CASE CAN STILL BE LOST
Having a good story is not the same thing as having a good case.
You may know exactly what happened. You may have been treated unfairly. You may even be completely truthful about your experience.
But when you walk into a courtroom, there is another question that must be answered:
Can you prove it?
Courts do not decide cases simply on the strength of what a person says happened. Claims must be supported by admissible and credible evidence.
That is why documentation matters.
That receipt you almost threw away.
That agreement you never bothered to put in writing.
That email, SMS or WhatsApp message (s) you deleted.
That message you thought was unimportant.
That payment you made without obtaining proof.
Any of these may become important when a disagreement eventually turns into a legal dispute.
One lesson I have learnt from legal practice is this: do not wait until there is a problem before you start thinking about evidence.
Keep records. Read before you sign. Document important transactions. Confirm significant conversations in writing where appropriate.
Because sometimes, the difference between “I know what happened” and “I can prove what happened” is the difference between winning and losing a case.
A good story may earn sympathy. A provable case is what the court can act upon.

THE MARRIAGE HAS BROKEN DOWN — BUT NOT IRRETRIEVABLY?The court agreed that the marriage had broken down.But it declined ...
25/07/2026

THE MARRIAGE HAS BROKEN DOWN — BUT NOT IRRETRIEVABLY?

The court agreed that the marriage had broken down.

But it declined to find that it had broken down irretrievably.

That got me thinking.

Can a marriage truly be said to have broken down, but not irretrievably?

This is a question I recently had to grapple with following a judgment delivered in a matrimonial cause.

Section 15 of the Matrimonial Causes Act provides for dissolution where a marriage has broken down irretrievably, subject, of course, to proof of the statutory facts prescribed by the Act.

But what happens where the evidence before the court shows that the marriage has, in practical terms, broken down, yet the legal threshold for an irretrievable breakdown is found not to have been established?

Is there, therefore, a space in matrimonial law between “broken down” and “broken down irretrievably”?

Put differently, can a marriage be broken enough for the court to recognise its collapse, but not broken enough for the law to dissolve it?

And perhaps the bigger question:

Should the legal reality of a marriage ever be different from its lived reality?

A recent judgment has left me pondering these questions.

I have my thoughts, but before I share them, I would love to hear yours.

Can a marriage break down without breaking down irretrievably?

Lawyers, particularly colleagues practising in matrimonial causes, what is your take?

⚖️ Ever Wondered Why Some Lawyers Always Win the Judge Over?It’s not luck—it’s how they craft their written address. A s...
05/01/2026

⚖️ Ever Wondered Why Some Lawyers Always Win the Judge Over?
It’s not luck—it’s how they craft their written address. A strong written address can make all the difference in court… but don’t get me wrong: you still need a proper trial, well-prepared witnesses, and solid evidence. The written address is the final statement—the focus of this article—but it can’t fix gaps in your trial preparation.
Here are 4 key steps to make your written address stand out:
1️⃣ Start Strong: Give a clear overview and highlight the main issues.
2️⃣ Present Compelling Arguments: Back every point with solid evidence and legal precedents.
3️⃣ Address Opposing Views: Anticipate and refute counterarguments smartly.
4️⃣ Conclude Persuasively: Summarize key points and finish with impact.
💡 Even if you’re not in court, structuring your arguments like this improves how people listen to and trust you—in meetings, presentations, or negotiations.
What’s your biggest challenge when writing persuasive arguments? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear! 👇

Address

142, Old Ojo Road, (1st Floor), By Pako Bus Stop
Lagos

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+2348185226478

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Jaded Law posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Jaded Law:

Shortcuts

Share

Category