It’s unreasonable to require a minimum of 20 SC Justices to handle approximately 600 cases annually – Asare

A private legal practitioner Kwaku Asare has described the request by Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Torkornoo for a minimum of 20 justices of the Supreme Court to handle approximately 600 cases yearly as unreasonable.

He says many Supreme Courts around the world manage double or triple that number of cases with about seven Justices.

The Chief Justice has proposed to increase the number of Supreme Court judges to 20.

Gertrude Torkornoo presented five judges to President Akufo-Addo to be nominated to the Supreme Court, attributing this to a high volume of cases.

In a letter to the President, she underscored the urgent requirement for the expansion of the Supreme Court bench, stating, “In view of the realities of the court’s workload and output and the need for the court to appropriately serve the justice needs of the nation.”

Capping the number of Supreme Court justices is not for the Chief Justice to say – Mahama

“Two days are used for panel sitting, and one day for the sitting of a single judge. The SCOG therefore sits 12 times a month. On any given day of sitting, the court deals with a minimum of 15 cases and so works on not fewer than 45 matters in a week or approximately 180 matters in a month,” she clarified.

In a Facebook post, Prof Asare said “It is unreasonable to require a minimum of 20 Supreme Court Justices to handle approximately 600 cases annually. In comparison, many Supreme Courts around the world manage double or triple that number of cases with about seven Justices.

“To uphold the principle of ‘a panel of equals,’ it is essential that no Supreme Court Justice feels indebted to the Chief Justice for their appointment. The Chief Justice’s request to promote certain judges has irreparably compromised the integrity of the bench.”

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, said it is worthy to note that the Supreme Court of Ghana is quite unique and different from other Supreme Courts around the world.

Godfred Dame said this while rejecting claims that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is packing the Supreme Court following the recent request by the Chief Justice to appoint five more justices of the apex court.

“What I am aware of is the request from Chief Justice, I believe that the Judiciary is no doubt better placed to provide ample justification for the need for an enhanced Supreme Court, but again it is worthy to note that the Supreme Court of Ghana is quite unique and different from other Supreme Courts around the world,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of the United States Independence Day Event at the Embassy Garden in Accra.

Supreme Court must be allowed to go through reformation through expansion in terms of numbers – Afenyo-Markin

So it is not the case that you are packing the court? he was asked.

In answer, Godfred Dame said, “Definitely not so what is this allegation about packing the court.”

 

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