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11.04.2008 General News

Judicial Service Explains Saturday Court

By Daily Guide
Judicial Service Explains Saturday Court
11.04.2008 LISTEN

THE JUDICIAL Service has explained the brain behind the Saturday week-end court sittings in Accra, saying the move was to clear the backlog of cases before the courts which was a source of worry and concern, not only to the Service but to the people who access the courts.

Her Ladyship, Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood is spear-heading a series of measures to address the problem of backlog of cases.

Depending on its success the exercise would be extended to other regions.

The operation of the week-end court was being done under Order 79 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004, which allows any day, including vacations, to be appointed for hearing of cases or matters as circumstances require, and Section 31 of the Courts and Ordinance (CAP 4), which allows any day to be appointed for sittings at the lower courts.

The Saturday week-end court sittings began in Accra last Saturday, April 5, at the premises of the District and Juvenile Courts near the Ministries.

Judges and Magistrates, as well as other courts officials including staff of the Judicial Service of Ghana were present as the courts dealt with cases that were put before them.

One hundred cases were mentioned and adjourned for hearing to start on Saturday, April 12. The cases were adjourned to enable the prosecutors and court officials serve hearing notices for the next sitting of the courts.

According to a release signed and issued by the acting Judicial Secretary, Abdullah Iddrisu, the number of courts and Judges and Magistrates are to be increased.

Scheduled to sit from 9:00am to 2:00pm every Saturday, the court would deal with specific cases such as domestic violence as well as revenue and other monetary claims by state agencies.

Five courts - two Circuits and three Magistrates - of the 57 courts in Accra were involved in the sittings.

By Sheilla Sackey

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