The Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has directed all judges, magistrates, and registrars serving in the various courts nationwide to ensure that motions are heard before trials.
Judicial Secretary, Her Ladyship Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo, communicated the directive from the Chief Justice in a press statement, indicating that the hearing of the motion before trials is in accordance with the order of scheduling cases pursuant to Order 79 Rule 2 of High Court (Civil Procedure Rules), C.I.47 as amended.
Justice Torkornoo further ordered all judges, magistrates, and registrars to ensure that motions are heard between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., and trials should be conducted after 11 a.m., depending on the workload of the court.
The new directive, according to the Chief Justice, is to assist with efficient and judicious use of time spent in court and to enable citizens and lawyers to plan in sync on how to utilize time spent in court.
“Judge-led mediation according to Order 58 of the High Court (Civil Procedure Rules) 2004, CI 47, and Case Management Conference under C.I, 87 are to be conducted on Thursdays and/ or Fridays”, the statement added.