GBA calls on Ag. Chief Justice to withdraw court assignment directive

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has called on the acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to withdraw a recent directive mandating that all newly filed cases and applications in the country’s superior courts be submitted to his office for assignment and scheduling.

In a statement issued on April 26, the GBA expressed concern over the “uncertainty” surrounding the directive.

They warned that the directive could negatively affect the timely delivery of justice and undermine the growing integration of technology within the judicial process.

“Recognising that the directive by His Lordship, the acting Chief Justice, on the assignment of cases by his office is uncertain, and having regard to the importance of technology and the urgency of justice delivery, the Ghana Bar Association respectfully requests that this directive be withdrawn,” the statement said.

The GBA further urged that instead of consolidating control at the top, efforts should be made to enhance the existing technological systems for case management and assignment to improve transparency, efficiency, and access to justice.

This comes after Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, in a statement dated April 23, 2025, directed registrars that all fresh filings, whether cases or applications, be submitted to his office for assignment and scheduling.

The order applied to registrars of the High Courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.

Per the directive, court registrars must now forward every new case to the acting Chief Justice, who will either assign it directly or empanel judges where multiple courts exist.

The directive also covered the fixing of dates for hearings, effectively centralising the scheduling process under the supervision of the Chief Justice.

The memo noted that the approach overrides all previous guidelines regarding court assignments and hearing schedules, and remains in force until further notice.