In a strategic move to streamline judicial processes and alleviate the mounting pressure on district courts, the Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkonoo, has inaugurated 12 special courts dedicated to handling small claims and debt recovery cases.
This initiative is designed to address the escalating number of small claims filed in Ghana’s district courts, predominantly fueled by cases from a single company, Bills MicroCredit.
Out of the newly established courts, eight are located in the Greater Accra Region, and the remaining four are situated in the Ashanti Region. The Chief Justice provided detailed information regarding the operational schedules of these courts.
“For the Greater Accra Region, District Court, Ashaiman, District Court, Teshie, District Court, Kasoa and District Court, La, will operate as the Saturday courts while District Court, Weija, District Court, Sowutuom, District Court ‘2’, Adenta and District Court, Gbese will operate as the weekday afternoon courts.”
Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkonoo, the Chief Justice of Ghana
These courts are strategically placed to serve populous areas, ensuring easy access for individuals and businesses involved in small claims and debt recovery.
The establishment of these courts is a direct response to the substantial increase in small claims, primarily driven by Bills MicroCredit.
At the inauguration ceremony, Chief Justice Torkonoo highlighted that over 70% of the total cases filed by Bills MicroCredit involved claims of less than GHC 5,000.
This significant volume of low-value claims has overwhelmed the existing district courts, which were already under strain despite the Judicial Service’s court shift system.
The Judicial Service, in collaboration with Bills MicroCredit, has developed these specialized courts to efficiently manage the influx of small claims and debt recovery cases. The support from Bills MicroCredit has been instrumental in establishing these courts, with the company actively participating in the initiative to streamline judicial processes.
At the inauguration event held at the La District Courts, Chief Justice Torkonoo expressed her gratitude towards Bills MicroCredit for their support. She emphasized the critical role these courts will play in maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of Ghana’s judicial system.
Impact on the Judicial System and Businesses
Richard Quaye, the CEO of Bills MicroCredit, also spoke at the opening ceremony, underscoring the positive impact these courts will have on their business operations.
“One significant challenge we have faced is the sheer volume of defaulters resulting in our need to resort to the courts for recovery — over 30,000 cases filed by our company seeking expedited hearings.
“The establishment of the new Small Claims Courts will greatly alleviate the burden on our judicial system, ensuring that cases are resolved more quickly and efficiently.”
Richard Quaye, the CEO of Bills MicroCredit
The new courts are set to convene every weekday afternoon and on Saturdays, providing additional flexibility and extended hours to manage the caseload. This operational schedule is expected to expedite the resolution of cases, thereby reducing the backlog and ensuring timely justice for plaintiffs and defendants alike.
By dedicating specific times and days to handle small claims and debt recovery, the Judicial Service aims to enhance the overall efficiency of the court system. This specialized focus will allow regular district courts to concentrate on more complex and high-value cases, thereby optimizing judicial resources and improving the delivery of justice.
The introduction of these specialized courts marks a significant step forward in reforming Ghana’s judicial system.
This initiative not only addresses the immediate challenge posed by the surge in small claims but also sets a precedent for future reforms aimed at modernizing the judicial system in Ghana.
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