Justice of the Adentan High Court 1, Her Ladyship Enyonam Adinyira, has recommended the abolition of legal vacations in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court to tackle the increasing backlog of cases.
She presented this suggestion during court proceedings on July 19, 2024, highlighting the inefficiency caused by prolonged legal vacations.
Her courtroom, a pilot for the Court shift system introduced by the Chief Justice, faces a significant caseload.
The judge pointed out that the current legal vacation rules contribute to delays, forcing her to schedule cases as far into the future as mid-2025.
She emphasized that eliminating these breaks could expedite the judicial process and reduce the strain on the courts.
She acknowledged the necessity for legal professionals to rest but suggested they could take personal leave instead of halting court operations for over two months each year.
This proposal, she argued, would maintain courtroom activities and help manage the overwhelming number of pending cases more effectively.
The existing rules, encapsulated in Order 79 rule 4 of C.I. 47, rule 61 of C.I. 19, and rule 82 of C.I. 16, outline specific vacation periods for the Superior Courts.
The call to reconsider these rules aims to streamline judicial proceedings and alleviate the burdens faced by the legal system.
