Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie
The Judicial Service has directed registrars and court clerks to promptly notify lawyers and litigants whenever a court is unable to sit, following concerns over the financial hardship, inconvenience and frustration caused by late communication of adjournments.
The directive, contained in a circular signed by the Judicial Secretary, Musah Ahmed, requires court registries to inform all relevant lawyers and litigants on record “without delay” as soon as it becomes apparent that a scheduled sitting cannot proceed.
The circular said the measure is aimed at preventing lawyers and litigants from making unnecessary trips to court, incurring avoidable expenses and losing valuable time because they were not informed early enough that their cases would not be heard.
It stresses that the administration of justice depends not only on the integrity of judges but also on the efficiency and reliability of court registries in managing the business of the courts.
“When a court is unable to sit, and this information is not communicated timeously, the burden placed upon counsel and, most importantly, upon the litigants, is unacceptable,” the circular states.
It warns that such occurrences impose unnecessary financial costs and undermine public confidence in the judicial process.
Under the new directive, registrars or assigned court clerks must take immediate steps to notify all lawyers and litigants involved in affected cases once it becomes obvious that a court will be unable to sit.
“Notification must be transmitted via the most efficient digital means available, specifically WhatsApp, SMS, or email,” the circular pointed out.
To facilitate effective communication, court registries are also required to maintain accurate and up-to-date contact details for lawyers appearing before the courts.
“Registrars are reminded that they bear the responsibility for ensuring this notification protocol is observed. Failure to provide timely notice, where it is reasonably possible to do so, will be viewed as a serious dereliction of duty,” the circular warned.
The directive underscores the need for court officials to treat communication about adjournments as an essential part of judicial administration rather than an incidental administrative task.
The circular added that judicial officers must strive to ensure that the judicial system remains accessible, efficient, and respectful of the time and resources of all stakeholders.
“We are here to serve the public, and that service must be characterised by professionalism and clear communication. All heads of courts are requested to ensure the immediate dissemination and strict adherence to this circular.”
BY Gibril Abdul Razak