> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cinfores-limited-1.gitbook.io/rivcomis/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cinfores-limited-1.gitbook.io/rivcomis/lawyers-manual.md).

# Lawyers Manual

**RIVCOMIS**

**PRIVATE LEGAL PRACTITIONER/STATE COUNSEL USER MANUAL**

 **ACCESS THE WEBSITE**

To access the Rivers State Court Management Information System (RIVCOMIS);

Open a browser and enter the '**RIVCOMIS URL';** https//rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng

**HOW TO REGISTER AS A PRIVATE LEGAL PRACTITIONER / STATE COUNSEL**

**Step 1:** Login to the website using '**http//rivcomis.riverssate.gov.ng**

**Step 2:** click on ‘**create new account**’

**Step 3:** Select Private Legal Practitioner as **‘Account type’**

**Step 4: (a)** Fill in your personal information then click **‘next’**

 **(b)** Fill in your official information then click **‘next’**

 **(c)** Upload valid ‘**ID Card’** and **‘Seal’**

**Step 5:** Click on **‘Submit’**, a message will display Registration successful, an email has been sent to you

**Step 6:** The private legal practitioner / sate counsel will receive an automated**‘email’** with account details ( username and password)

**Step 7:** When the **admin activates** the account, the private legal practitioner / state counsel will receive a link to activate account, if the **admin rejects** account creation, the private legal practitioner / state counsel will receive an email with reasons stating why account creation was rejected.

**HOW TO LOGIN:**

To login as a private legal practitioner / state counsel;

**Step 1:** Click **‘Account’** on the dashboard then click **‘Login’**

**Step 2:** Enter your **‘Legal email address’** and **‘password’**

**Step 3:** Click **‘Login’** to successfully access legal practitioner / state counsel’s account.

**HOW TO VIEW AND CHANGE YOUR PROFILE AS A PRIVATE LEGAL PRACTITIONER/ STATE COUNSEL**

**Step 1:** After loging in, click on ‘**view profile’** under **CoMiS Dashboard**

**Step 2:** Go to **‘profile overview’** and fill in the fields

*  Personal information
* Official details
* Security questions
* Change password

**Step 3:** Click on **‘save changes’** after editing each of the fields.

**HOW TO FILE A NEW CASE**

**Step 1:** Click on **‘New Fillings’** on your **Dashboard**

**Step 2:** A table of different types of fillings will display, click on **‘New Suit’**

**Step 3:** Select **‘Court type’,** either **High Court** or **Magistrate Court**

**Step 4:** When the user selects either **‘High court** or **Magistrate court,** a list of different types of fillings available in that court will display.

**Step 5:** If the user selects **‘Writ of Summons’** a list of different types of fillings under Writ of summons will display.

**Step 6:** Click to select **‘General Writ of Summons’** and begin filing your case.

**HOW TO FILE A WRIT OF SUMMONS**

**Step 1:** Select **‘Type of claimant’**

**Step 2:** If the User selects ‘**individual’**, the user will have to enter the following with the Claimant’s information:

*  Enter **‘first name’**
* Enter **‘Middle name’**
* Enter **‘Last name’**
* Enter **a** valid **‘Email Address’** for claimant
* Enter a valid **‘Phone number’**
* Enter **‘Claimant’s Address’**
* Enter ‘**Counsel’s Name’**
* Enter ‘**Counsel’s Address’**
* Enter **‘Cause of Action’**
* Click ‘**+**’ to add more claimants
* After filing the needed information, click **‘Save claimant+’** and **‘next’** to proceed.

**Step 2b:** If the User selects **‘Corporate’**, the User will have to enter the following with the Claimant’s information:

* Enter **‘Corporation Name’**
* Enter a Valid **‘Email Address’**
* Enter a valid **‘Phone number’**
* Enter ‘**Address’**
* Enter ‘**Cause of Action’**
* Enter ‘**Counsel Name’**
* Enter ‘**Counsel Address’**
* Click ‘**+**’ to add more claimants
* Click **‘Save claimant+’** and **‘next’** to proceed

**Step 2c:** If the user selects **‘State/Police’** the user will have to enter the following with the claimant’s information:

* Enter **‘State/Police Name’**
* Enter a valid **‘Email Address’**
* Enter a valid **‘Address’**
* Enter ‘**Counsel Name’**
* Enter **‘Counsel Address’**
* Enter a brief **‘Cause of Action’**
* Click ‘**+**’ to add more claimants
* Click **‘Save claimant+’** and **‘next’** to proceed

**Step 3:** Add Defendant details, the defendant details can be **‘individual’, ‘Corporation,’ State/Police’.**

**Step 3a:** If the user selects **‘individual’,** the user will have to complete the following with the defendant’s information.

**(b)** Enter **‘First Name’.**

**(C)** Enter **‘Middle Name’.**

**(d)** Enter **‘Last Name’.**

**(e)** Enter a valid **Email Address’** for defendant.

**(f)** Enter a valid **‘Phone number’.**

**(g)** Enter **‘Counsel Name’**

**(h)** Enter **‘Counsel Name’**

**(i)** Enter **‘Counsel Address**

**(j)** Enter a valid **‘Phone number’**

**(k)**Enter **‘Address of defendant with** Town **and** City. **Select** State **and** LGA

**(l)** Click ‘**+**’ to add more defendants

**(m)** Click **‘Save defendant+’** and **‘next’** to proceed

**Note:** There is the **‘Preview Section’** where the user sees information added.

**Step 3b:** If the user selects **‘Corporations’,** the user will have to complete the following with the corporation’s information:

* Enter **‘corporation Name’**
* Enter a valid ‘**Email Address’**
* Enter a valid **‘Phone number’**
* Enter a brief **‘Description’**
* Enter **‘Address of Defendant (House Number, Street, Town, City)**
* Select **‘State’**
* Select **‘LGA’**
* Click ‘**+’** to add more defendants, when user adds a defendant, a message will display stating that **defendant details added successfully.** Click **Ok.**
* Click **‘Save defendant+’** and **‘continue’** to proceed or **‘Back’** to go to the previous page.

**Step 3c:** If the user selects **‘State’,** the user will have to enter the following with the defendant’s information

* Enter **‘State Name’**
* Enter a valid’ **Email Address’**
* Enter a valid **‘Phone Number’**
* Enter ‘**Address.’**
* Enter **‘Counsel Address’**
* Enter ‘**Counsel of Action’.**
* Click ‘**+’** to add more defendants, when user adds a defendant, a message will display stating that **defendant details added successfully.** Click **Ok.**
* Click **‘Save defendant+’** and **‘continue’** to proceed or **‘Back’** to go to the previous page.

**Step 4:** Upload your supporting documents and click on **‘Next’**

**Step 5a:** Click on **‘Private legal practitioner’**

 **(b):** Select **‘Assessment type’** and **‘Court Division’**

 **(c):** If you select **‘Self Assessment’,** click on ‘**Your Filing Fee’** in the checklist, **‘Registry Assessment’** for open registry to assess your filing fee.

 **(d):** Click on **‘Proceed to Preview’** to preview everything you have filed

**Step 7:** Click **‘Finish’**, a message will display with the information that your filling with a peculiar system number has been successfully added.

**HOW TO FILE AN EXISTING SUIT**

**Step 1:** User goes to **rivcomis website** [www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng](http://www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng/)

**Step 2:** User clicks on **‘New Fillings’** on the **‘Dashboard’**

**Step 3:** Click on **‘Existing Suits’**

**Step 4:** Select the type of Existing Suit you want to file.

**HOW TO FILE A DEFENCE SUIT**

**Step 1:** Click **‘Respond Here’** in defence filings box

* **‘Fill all the information’** on the fields;

**i:** Select **‘Court Type’**

**ii:** Select **‘Counsel’**

**iii:** Select **‘Type of Defence Filing’**

**iv:** Enter **‘Suit Number’** and click on **‘Search’**

* View the ‘**Parties’** and click ‘**Next’**
* ‘**Upload Documents’** in Pdf format only and click **‘Next’**
* Click on **‘Private Legal Practitioner’**
* **‘Select Division’** from the dropdown
* Click **‘YOUR FILING FEE’** checklist
*  Click ‘**Save Defence Filing’**
* A message will appear with the information ‘**Filing with a peculiar system no has been added successfully’** then click on **‘Ok’**
* Click **‘Proceed to Preview’** to preview what you have filed and click **‘Finish’.**

**HOW TO FILE A MOTION FOR JOINDER**

**Step 1:** Click on **‘File Here’** in the Motion for Joinder box

**Step 2: ‘Fill all the information’** on the fields;

**I:** Select **‘Court Type’**

**II:** Select **‘Counsel’**

**III:** Enter **'Suit Number'** and click on **‘Search’**

 The **‘Claimant & Defendant’** displays.

**IV:** Click **‘Next’**

**V:** Enter the names of the documents and click **‘Upload Documents’** to upload all your documents. Click on **‘Add more’** if you have more documents to upload.

**VI:** Click on **‘Private Legal Practitioner’**

**VII:** Click on **‘Select Division’,** to choose division from the dropdown list.

**VIII:** Do your Checklist Selection and click on **‘Save Motion for Joinder’**

**IX:** Then click **‘Proceed to Preview’** to preview what you have filled and click **‘Finish’.**

**HOW TO APPLY FOR A MOTION**

**Step 1:** Click on **‘Apply Here’** in the Motions box

 **(a)** Select **‘Court Type’** from the drop down

 **(b)** Select **‘Application Title’** from the dropdown

 **(c)** Enter **‘Suit Number’** and search

 **(d)** An overview of the **Claimant and defendant information** comes up, click ‘**Next’**

**(e)** Enter the names of the documents and click **‘Upload Documents’** to upload all your documents. Click on **‘Add more’** if you have more documents to upload.

 **(f)** Click on **‘Private Legal Practitioner’**

 **(g)** **Select Division,** from the available dropdown list

 **(h)** Select Checklist and click on **‘Save Application’**

 **(i)** Click **‘Proceed to Preview’** to view what you have filled and click **‘Finish’.**

**HOW FILE AN OLD CASE**

**STEP 1:** Click **‘New Filings’** and then select **‘Existing Suits’** to open up the old case option

 **(a)** Click **‘File Here’** in the Old cases box

 **(b)** Select **‘Court’**

 **(c)** Select **‘Judge/Magistrate’**

 **(d)** Select **‘Application’**

 **(e)** Enter **‘Suit Number’** and click **‘Search’**

**FILING UNDER MISCELLANEOUS**

**HOW TO PAY FOR CERTIFIED TRUE COPY (CTC)**

**Step 1:** On your dashboard, click **‘New Filings’**

**Step 2:** Different types of filings will display, click **‘Miscellaneous’**

**Step 3:** Click on **‘Pay Here’** in **Certified True Copy (CTC) box**

**Step 4:** Select **‘Court Type’**

**Step 5:** Click on **Private Legal Practitioner** and select **‘Division’**

**Step 6:** A notification will pop up asking you to confirm the division chosen. Click **‘Ok’**

**Step 7:** Click on **‘Certified True Copy’**

**Step 8:** Click on the check box **‘Certified True Copy’** and choose the number of pages

**Step 9:** Click on **‘Add CTC’**

**Step 10:** A notification with the information Certified True Copy Successfully Added will appear, click **‘Ok’**

**Step 11:** Click **‘Proceed to Payment’** to make payment.

**HOW TO PAY FOR FORMS AND LETTERS**

**Step 1:** On your dashboard, click **‘New Filings’**

**Step 2:** Different types of filings will display, click **‘Miscellaneous’**

**Step 3:** Click on **‘Pay Here’** in the **Forms and Letters box**

**Step 4:** Select **‘Form/Letter’** and select **‘Court Type’**

**Step 5:** Click **‘Private Legal Practitioner’**

**Step 6:** Select **‘Division’**

**Step 7:** A notification will pop up asking you to confirm the division chosen. Click **‘Ok’**

**Step 8:** Click on **‘Letter to Chief Registrar’**

**Step 9:** Click on the check box **‘Letter to Chief Registrar’** and choose the number of pages

**Step 10:** Click **‘Save Form’**

**Step 11:** A notification with the information Form Successfully Added will appear, click **‘Ok’**

**Step 12:** Click **‘Proceed to Payment’** to make payment.

**HOW TO APPLY FOR CHILD ADOPTION**

**Step 1:** On your dashboard, click **‘New Filings’**

**Step 2:** Different types of filings will display, click **‘Miscellaneous’**

**Step 3:** Click on **‘Apply Here’** in **the Child Adoption box**

**Step 4:** Select **‘Court Type’, ‘Filing Category’** and **‘Filing Type’**

**Step 5: Fill in the Applicant information and click on ‘Add Applicant’**

**Step 6:** You will get a notification with the information **‘Successfully added’**, click **‘Ok’** and then click **‘Next’**

**Step 7:** Fill in the Respondent information and click **‘Add Respondent’**

**Step 8:** You will get a notification with the information **‘Successfully added’**, click **‘Ok’** and then click **‘Next’**

**Step 9:** Fill the Adoption Form 1, 2 and 3 and click on **‘Submit’**

**Step 10:** You will get a notification with the information **‘Wait for your form to be processed’**, click **‘Ok’**

**Step 11:** A preview of your form will appear, click **‘Next’**

**Step12:** Upload the necessary documents and click **‘Proceed to Preview’**

**Step 13:** Choose the type of assessment you want, tick your documents and click **‘Next’**

**Step 14:** Preview to make sure all your informations are correct and click **‘Finish’**

**Step 15:** A message will display that you have successfully completed the process, click **‘Ok’** to finish the process.

**HOW TO APPLY FOR AN APPEAL**

**Step 1:** On your dashboard, click **‘New Filings’**

**Step 2:** Different types of filings will display, click **‘Miscellaneous’**

**Step 3:** Click on **‘Apply Here’** in **the Appeal box**

**Step 4:** Select **‘Court Type’, ‘Filing Type’**, **and ‘Filing Category’** and enter **‘Suit No’**

**Step 5:** Fill in the Appellant information and click on **‘Add Appellant’**

**Step 6:** You will get a notification with the information **‘Appellant added successfully’**, click **‘Ok’** and then click **‘Next’**

**Step 7:** Fill in the Respondent information and click **‘Add Respondent’**

**Step 8:** You will get a notification with the information **‘Respondent successfully added’**, click **‘Ok’** and then click **‘Next’**

**Step9:** Upload the necessary documents and click **‘Next’**

**Step 10:** Select the Division, check your documents and click **‘Save Appeal’**

**Step 11:** You will get a notification with the information **‘Appeal with system no APPEAL\*\*\*\*\* added successfully’**, click **‘Ok’** and then click **‘Proceed to Preview’**

**Step 12:** Click **‘Finish’**

**Step 13:** A message will display that you have successfully completed the process, click **‘Ok’** to finish the process.

**HOW TO APPLY FOR LIS PENDENS FORM A (PENDING SUIT)**

**Step 1:** Go to the Url: [**www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng**](http://www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng/)

**Step 2:** Login with your legal mail and password

**Step 3:** Click **‘Lis Pendens’**

**Step 4:** Click on Pending Suit for **‘Form A’**

**Step 5:** Enter **‘Suit No’** and fill in the necessary fields;

* Select **‘Court Type’**
* Select **‘Name of Judge’**
* Select **‘Date of Commencement of Suit’**
* Enter **‘Parties, Claimant and Defendant’**. Use the **‘+’** icon to add more claimants or defendants
* Fill in the **‘Summary of Claim’**
* Enter the **‘Longitude and Latitude (optional)’**
* Enter the **‘Address of Property’**

**Step 6:** Click **‘Save and Continue’.**

 The certificate will come out and you can either save as pdf or print.

**HOW TO APPLY FOR LIS PENDENS FORM B (DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE)**

**Step 1:** Login to your account on the RivCoMiS platform

**Step 2:** Click on **‘Lis Pendens’**

**Step 3:** Click on Discharge Certificate for **‘Form B’**

**Step 4:** Enter **‘Suit No’** and fill in the necessary fields;

* Select **‘Court Type’**
* Select **‘Name of Judge’**
* Select **‘Date of Commencement of Suit’**
* Enter **‘Parties, Claimant and Defendant’**. Use the **‘+’** icon to add more claimants or defendants
* Fill in the **‘Summary of Claim’**
* Select **‘Date of Judgment’**
* Enter the **‘Longitude and Latitude (optional)’**
* Enter the **‘Address of Property’**

**Step 5:** Click **‘Save and Continue’**

**Step 6:** A message will display with the information **‘LIS PENDENS Successfully saved’,** click **‘continue to preview Lis Pendens’**

**Step 7:** Click **‘Print’** to either print the certificate or save it as pdf.

**HOW TO GET LIS PENDENS FORM C (APPEAL)**

**Step 1:** Login to your account on the RivCoMiS platform

**Step 2:** Click **‘Lis Pendens’**

**Step 3:** Click on Appeal for **'Form C'**

**Step 4:** Enter **‘Suit No’** and fill in the necessary fields;

* Select **‘Name of Judge’**
* Select **‘Court Type’**
* Enter **‘Parties, Claimant and Defendant’**. Use the **‘+’** icon to add more claimants or defendants
* Fill in the **‘Summary of Claim’**
* Select **‘Date of Commencement of Suit’**
* Select **‘Date of Appeal’**
* Select **‘Date of Judgment’**
* Enter the **‘Longitude and Latitude (optional)’**
* Enter the **‘Address of Property’**

**Step 5:** Click **'Save and Continue'**

**Step 6:** Click **'Continue to Preview Lis Pendens'**

**Step 7:** Click 'Print' to either print the certificate or save it as pdf.

Note, the Lawyer should have a signature uploaded so that it will appear on the document.

**HOW TO APPLY FOR LIS PENDENS FORM D (SEARCH REPORT)**

**Step 1:** Login to your account on the RivCoMiS platform

**Step 2:** Click **‘Lis Pendens’**

**Step 3:** Click on Search Report for **'Form D'**

**Step 4:** Enter **‘Suit No’** or **‘Address of Property’**

**Step 5:** Enter **‘Filter by Name’** if you have several Lis Pendens with the same suit no

**Step 6:** Click **‘Clear’**

**Step 7:** Click on **‘Search’** to verify the Lis Pendens certificate

**Step 8:** Click **‘Make Payment’** to get your Lis Pendens Certificate.

**HOW TO CHANGE ACCOUNT:**

**Step 1:** Use the URL: [www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng](http://www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng/)

**Step** 2: Click on ‘**Change Account’**

**Step** 3: Select ‘**Court Type’**

**Step** 4: Enter **‘Suit Number/Application ID or System** ID

**Step** 5: Enter ‘**New counsel email address**

**Step** 6: Confirm new counsel email address

**Step** 7: Proceed to ‘**Make payment’**

**HOW TO VIEW CASE STATUS:**

**Step** 1: Use the URL: [www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng](http://www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng/)

**Step** 2: Click on ‘**Case Status’**

**Step** 3: Select ‘**Filling Type’**

**Step** 4**:** Enter ‘**Case ID/ System ID/ Application ID/ Suit Numbe**r

**Step** 5**:** Click on ‘**View case Status’**

**HOW TO FILE GENERAL AFFIDIVAT**

**Step** 1: Use the URL: [www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng](http://www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng/)

Step 2: Click on ‘**New Filing’**

**Step 3:** Click on **‘Affidavit’**

**Step 4:** Select **‘General Affidavit’**

**Step 5:** Type the heading of the Affidavit under**, ‘Affidavit Type’**

**Step 6:** Select ‘**Court Type’**

**Step 7:** Select ‘**Court Division’**

**Step 8:** Enter **‘First Name’**

**Step 9**: Enter **‘Middle Name’**

**Step 10**: Enter **‘Last Name’**

**Step11:** Select **‘Sex’**

**Step 12**: Select **‘Country of Origin’**

**Step 13**: Enter **‘Occupation’**

**Step 14:** Enter **‘Address’**

**Step15**: Enter **‘Town’**

**Step 16**: Enter **‘City’**

**Step 17:** Select **‘Country’**

**Step 18**: Upload Beneficiary Passport (300\*300, JPG) then click on ‘**Browse file**’ to select the picture to used

**Step19:** Click on Paragraph to add Additional information

**Step 20**: Click on’ **Create Affidavit’** and then proceed to ‘**Preview’** to check the information’s provided

**Step 21:** Proceed to **‘Make Payment’**

**CHAMBERS REGISTRATION**

**Step 1:** Open the Rivcomis site using [www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng](http://www.rivcomis.riversstate.gov.ng/)

**Step 2:** Input your ‘**legal mail and password’**

**Step 3:** Click on ‘**Chambers Registration’**

**Step 4:** Enter **‘Chamber Name’**

Step 5: Enter ‘**Chamber Address’**

Step 6: Enter ‘**Legal Address’**

**Step** 7: Enter ‘**Chamber Phone Number’**

**Step** 8: Enter’ **Chamber Website’**

**Step** 9: Enter ‘**Principal’s Name’**

**Step** 10: Enter ‘**Principal’s Email’**

**Step** 11**:** Upload your **‘CAC Document’** in PDF format

**Step** 12 Upload your **‘Allied documents’** in PDF format

**Step** 13**:** Click on **‘Save’**

**Step** 14**:** You will get a notification that **‘Chamber registration was Successful’**, click **‘Ok’.**

**HOW TO REGISTER YOUR VIRTUAL CHAMBERS**

**REQUIREMENTS**

1: Principal must be registered

2: You must have a legal mail

3: You must complete form.

4: Verification.

 4a: Legal email

 4b: Mobile phone

 4c: Alternate email

**USE OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT FOR REGISTERATION**

**CHAMBERS REGISTERATION FORM**

Step 1: Enter ‘**Chamber name’**

Step 2: Enter ‘**Address**’

Step 3: Enter ‘**Email’**

Step 4: Enter ‘**Phone /website URL’**

Step 5: Enter ‘Principal details’

 5a: Fill in ‘Names’

 5b: Enter ‘Email’

Step 6: Enter ‘**CAC and allied documents’**