GBA kicks against CJ’s vacation sittings directives
By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has petitioned the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to protest administrative directives requiring lawyers to appear in court for full criminal trials during the annual legal vacation. The GBA warned that compelling lawyers to appear during the recess, particularly after several prominent law firms objected […]
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has written to the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, expressing concern over directives requiring lawyers to attend court during the annual legal vacation. Efua Ghartey, GBA's National President, warned that forcing attorneys to participate in ongoing criminal trials during the recess could erode judicial traditions and lead to "selective justice".
The directive conflicts with the August 1 to September 30 legal vacation period, established under C.I. 47, which traditionally allows lawyers to take a break from regular proceedings. While acknowledging vacation courts for urgent matters, the GBA maintains that full trials should not continue during this period. The Bar is particularly opposed to the mandatory nature of the directives, which conflicts with the voluntary aspect of legal practice during vacation.
The association argues that if a lawyer is unavailable, the case should simply be adjourned. The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, suggested that the legal vacation should not be used to delay justice, but the GBA holds firm to its stance and calls on the Chief Justice to uphold traditional practices governing the annual break.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
