Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia ) – The Judiciary of The Gambia, under the leadership of Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow, has taken a significant step toward modernizing its judicial processes by validating the revised High Court rules. The validation, which took place on Tuesday, aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of justice delivery in the country, addressing bottlenecks in the legal system.

The initiative, a collaboration between the Judiciary of The Gambia and the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), is part of the Judiciary’s Strategic Plan 2021–2025. This plan seeks to review all judicature acts and rules to strengthen the justice system’s service delivery.

The revised rules, initially drafted in 1928, are undergoing a comprehensive overhaul by the A.B. and Co. Law Firm, supported by ABA ROLI. Judicial Secretary Abdou Conteh highlighted the urgency of this reform during the workshop, emphasizing the need to modernize these nearly century-old rules.

“These are rules that were drafted almost 100 years ago. The world is progressing, and the management of the judiciary felt the need to revise these rules to stand the test of time,” he stated.

The validation workshop brought together key stakeholders, including legal professionals, judicial officers, and members of the Judicial Rules Committee. Participants reviewed the draft rules, discussed challenges, and provided recommendations for reform.

Fatou Bintou Sallah, Justice Sector Coordinator for ABA ROLI, underscored the broader scope of ABA’s support for The Gambia’s judiciary. She detailed various initiatives, including the introduction of a computer-aided transcription system, the implementation of a case management system, and support for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Initiative, which encourages arbitration and mediation over traditional litigation.

Chief Justice Hassan Jallow highlighted the importance of balancing continuity and change in the judicial system. “Life and the law are both characterized by change and continuity. While some aspects of the old rules have served us well, others must evolve to meet new challenges and demands, such as the growing call for expeditious and quality justice,” he remarked.

The validation of the High Court rules marks a pivotal moment in The Gambia’s judicial reform journey. With USAID reaffirming its commitment to ensuring full implementation of the rules by 2025, the revised framework is poised to enhance access to justice and modernize court procedures in line with contemporary judicial standards.