Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has revealed that plans are underway to introduce 24-hour court operations in selected jurisdictions across the country, as part of broader reforms aimed at improving access to justice and reducing the cost of litigation.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie expressed concern over the rising cost of legal proceedings, which he attributed largely to systemic delays within the judicial process.
“It is true that the cost of litigation is now very high, or higher, as a result of the delays that are pursued in the courts,” he stated.
“Even minor offences in the criminal realm can become unduly expensive. Many people would prefer to seek justice, but they simply do not have the means; they are under-resourced.”
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He disclosed that the judiciary has been exploring practical solutions to address these challenges, including the introduction of ‘round-the-clock’ courts to handle cases beyond regular working hours.
“For some time now, we have been discussing the idea of introducing courts that operate around the clock, so that we can have night courts,” he explained.
“These are all measures designed to augment the legal aid system. If there are more courts available to handle cases, the cost of litigation will definitely go down.”
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie emphasised that the proposed night court initiative would not only help decongest the justice system but also ensure quicker resolution of cases, particularly minor criminal and civil matters.
He added that the reform would form part of a wider effort to modernise Ghana’s judiciary, making it more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.
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