‘Cases don’t go on leave’ – Chief Justice defends judges sitting during legal vacation

Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has defended the continued presence of judges during the legal vacation, arguing that courts cannot fully cease operations. He emphasized that "cases do not go on leave," meaning urgent matters must still be addressed. The law allows judges to handle emergency situations during vacation to prevent significant disruptions if proceedings were delayed until after the break.

Speaking at a meeting with the Minerals Income Investment Fund, the Chief Justice clarified that the collective vacation period in August and September is different from individual leave entitlements for judges. However, he stressed that this does not entail a complete shutdown of judicial work. "We know that the cases do not go on leave.

They have to be heard," he explained. The Chief Justice cited scenarios where immediate judicial action is necessary, such as cases involving a death where the body must not be released before an injunction. These matters cannot wait until the end of the legal vacation. He noted that some judges remain on duty during the vacation to handle such urgent cases, and they are entitled to take their regular annual leave afterward.

The Chief Justice's stance on this issue emerged as public debate arose about the legitimacy of judicial activity during the legal vacation. He maintained that the vacation is not meant to halt judicial operations entirely. Instead, it aims to balance allowing judges to take time off while ensuring that critical matters receive timely attention.

The Judiciary continues to appoint vacation judges to manage emergency and other pressing issues that cannot be postponed until the courts resume normal operations.