GBA urges Chief Justice to halt trials during legal vacation

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has written to Chief Justice Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie, urging him to suspend the holding of certain trials during the current legal vacation. This request comes in a letter dated August 10, 2026, following petitions from several law firms. These include Zoe, Akyea & Co, Dame & Partners, and Sam Okudzeto & Associates.

The GBA explains that the legal vacation, running from August 1 to September 30, is designed to provide a rest period for judges, lawyers, and judicial staff after a particularly long legal year. According to the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004, CI 47, there are three mandated legal vacations each year, with the second one being the longest.

The GBA notes that while some courts can be designated as Vacation Courts to handle urgent matters during this time, these courts typically deal with emergencies and interlocutory issues, not trials. Virtual courts also adhere to this principle, refraining from conducting trials. The GBA emphasizes that lawyers are not obligated to appear in court during the vacation if they are unavailable.

If counsel indicates unavailability, the court should not proceed with the case. The Association stresses that an accused or other party should not be forced to represent themselves if their lawyer is unavailable during the legal vacation. They express concern that requiring lawyers to conduct trials during this period could be perceived as biased or indicative of selective justice.

The GBA argues that lawyers have already been working long hours, including under new afternoon court sittings, and some have scheduled professional engagements abroad or have been closed for the entire vacation. GBA National President Mrs. Efua Ghartey appeals to the Chief Justice and the Judiciary to uphold the established rules and traditions governing legal vacations, expressing the GBA's commitment to working with the Judiciary to ensure timely justice delivery.