Coronavirus: Ghana Bar Association to de-congest courts to prevent spread

The Ghana Bar Association is set to de-congest courts to prevent the spread of coronavirus as Ghana continues to record cases.
In view of the fact that there are presently cases that have already been scheduled before Courts, the Association has directed lawyers to communicate with their colleagues in a matter if they are desirous of adjournments.
“Where a matter is pending in a Court, even if part-heard, Counsel may agree on a date and inform the Registrar of the relevant court accordingly by correspondence. Lawyers may opt to take long adjournments within the term; All cases pending before the Courts must be adjourned to specific times on specific dates and Lawyers must endeavour to appear only at the scheduled time,” the Association directed.
It also directed that,”Lawyers are to dispense with the presence of their clients and their acquaintances when applications are listed for hearing and yin cases that are not part-heard. In cases that are part-heard, Lawyers must appear with the parties and witnesses scheduled to give evidence on the specific date.”
Below is a statement:
 
 
GHANA BAR ASSOCIATION’S STATEMENT ON
DECONGESTING COURTS TO PREVENT THE POSSIBLE SPREAD OF COVID-19
 
The National Executive Committee of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has noted with concern the increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Recognising that under the provisions of the 1992 Constitution it is only His Excellency the President of the Republic acting under the authority of Parliament who can impose restrictions and exercise emergency powers•
 
And in an effort to decongest the Courts and observe the prescribed social distancing protocols to prevent the possible spread of the virus, the National Executive Committee hereby issues the following guidelines to the members of the Ghana Bar Association:
 
1, In view of the fact that there are presently cases that have already been scheduled before Courts, Lawyers may communicate with their colleagues in a matter if they are desirous of adjournments;
 
Where a matter is pending in a Court, even if part-heard, Counsel may agree on a date and inform the Registrar of the relevant court accordingly by correspondence. Lawyers may opt to take long adjournments within the term;
All cases pending before the Courts must be adjourned to specific times on specific dates and Lawyers must endeavour to appear only at the scheduled time;
Lawyers are to dispense with the presence of their clients and their acquaintances when applications are listed for hearing and yin cases that are not part-heard. In cases that are part-heard, Lawyers must appear with the parties and witnesses scheduled to give evidence on the specific date,
 
The National Executive of the GBA wishes to entreat all its members to abide by the above guidelines to ensure that the courts are decongested to safeguard the health and safety of members of the Bar, Bench, staff of the Judicial Service, litigants and the general public.
It is the expectation of the National Executive of the GBA that all citizens will cooperate in the fight against COVID-19, and prays that God will protect and keep
Ghana.
DATED AT ACCRA THIS
DAY OF MARCH 2020.
ANTHONY FORSON, JNR.
(National President)
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com