{
  "id": 5112329,
  "title": "Cases don’t go on leave – Chief Justice defends judges sitting during legal vacation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/cases-dont-go-on-leave-chief-justice-defends-judges-sitting-during",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T15:12:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/cases-dont-go-on-leave-chief-justice-defends-judges-sitting-during-legal-vacation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has spoken out against the controversy surrounding judges sitting during Ghana's legal vacation, asserting that the court system cannot simply shut down because the period is in effect. He emphasized that legal vacation does not imply the cessation of justice administration, especially when urgent and emergency cases need immediate attention. \"Cases don't go on leave, and emergency cases have to be heard,\" he stated. This echoed a debate within Ghana's legal community over whether judges should continue sitting during the legal vacation, a matter that has even reached the Supreme Court after a Member of Parliament, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, filed a challenge. Despite the dismissal of the case, Nkrumah has since sought a review of the ruling. During a visit to the Minerals Income Investment Fund, Baffoe-Bonnie defended the ongoing judicial activity during the legal vacation, explaining that the practice does not contravene Judicial Service rules and provisions are in place for handling urgent matters. He highlighted the need for the justice system to remain responsive to time-sensitive cases that cannot be postponed until full court operations resume. The Chief Justice argued that halting all court proceedings could negatively impact litigants with urgent cases. He clarified that the debate should not have arisen, given the existing provisions that allow courts to address critical matters when necessary. Baffoe-Bonnie pledged the judiciary's commitment to ensuring access to justice throughout the legal vacation.",
  "summary": "Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has weighed into the growing controversy over whether judges should sit during Ghana’s legal vacation, insisting that the courts cannot completely suspend their work simply because the period is in effect. According to the Chief Justice, legal vacation does not mean the administration of justice comes to a halt, particularly when […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times",
        "title": "Rule of law must adapt as society’s values, circumstances evolve: Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/rule-of-law-must-adapt-as-societys-values-circumstances-evolve-chief",
        "published": "2026-09-02T13:50:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Chief Justice removal process open to political manipulation – IEA warns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/chief-justice-removal-process-open-to-political-manipulation-iea-warns",
        "published": "2026-09-02T14:40:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}