Gambiaj.com – (Niger State, Nigeria) — The Honourable President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, has reaffirmed his dedication to implementing the resolutions from the Court’s three-day judicial retreat, which concluded on November 27, 2024.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, President Gonçalves emphasized the importance of the retreat’s recommendations in advancing the Court’s efficiency and effectiveness.

“Over the last three days, we discussed important issues and proposed recommendations that have been adopted for implementation,” he said. He further assured that monitoring mechanisms would be established to track the progress of these resolutions, preventing unresolved issues from resurfacing at subsequent retreats. Additionally, the implementation status of recommendations from previous retreats will be reviewed to ensure continued progress and enhanced performance of the Court.

The retreat, held under the theme “Judicial Case Management: Relation Between the Office of the Honourable President, Honourable Judges, Registry Department, and Legal Research & Documentation Department,” served as a critical platform for examining operational challenges and proposing solutions. Key topics discussed included the enforcement of writs of execution in member states, standardizing rulings and orders made in open court, and reconciling differences between common law and civil law practices concerning interlocutory applications and motions. Participants also deliberated on best practices for translating court decisions and fostering collaboration between research teams and judges’ chambers.

Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Vice President of the Court, commended the participants for their professionalism and collaborative spirit, which he described as pivotal to the retreat’s success. “The success of this retreat is a reflection of both teamwork and respect for the legal profession, manifested in the respect for the views of others. We have just started a journey towards setting standards for the Court that will make it operate optimally as a judicial institution,” he stated during his vote of thanks.

The retreat brought together judges, directors, and staff members of the Court, who collectively sought to address institutional challenges and improve judicial performance. By focusing on actionable solutions, the retreat reinforced the Court’s commitment to justice and its role as the principal legal organ of the ECOWAS Community.