Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia’s newly appointed Chief Justice, Edrissa M.O. Faal, has pledged to strengthen the independence, efficiency, and accessibility of the country’s judiciary, promising to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is administered without fear, favor, or external influence.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony, Justice Faal said he assumed the country’s highest judicial office with a deep sense of humility and gratitude while recognizing the immense responsibilities attached to the position.
He described the office of Chief Justice as a “public trust” that must be exercised with independence, impartiality, and fidelity to the rule of law.
Building on the gains of his predecessor
Justice Faal paid tribute to his predecessor, Chief Justice Hassan Bubacarr Jallow, for what he described as his important contribution to rebuilding the judiciary during a critical period in The Gambia’s history.
He specifically credited the outgoing Chief Justice with helping to re-establish judicial independence, promote alternative dispute resolution, and improve access to the courts while making progress towards restoring public confidence in the justice system.
“These accomplishments provide a strong foundation upon which we will all build a modernized judiciary,” Justice Faal said.
He said his ambition is to build on that foundation by developing a judiciary that is more efficient, more accessible, and guided by internationally recognized best practices, while ensuring that such practices remain compatible with The Gambia’s constitutional principles, legal requirements, and national needs.
Efficiency and timely justice
Justice Faal made clear that he does not consider the work of the judiciary complete, stressing that institutions entrusted with such an important public responsibility must continuously strive for improvement.
He identified higher professional standards, efficient and timely delivery of justice, and adherence to best practices as priorities that would define his tenure.
“The pursuit of higher professional standards, efficient and timely delivery of justice, and steadfast adherence to best practices is a continuing institutional responsibility,” he said.
His remarks suggest a focus on addressing some of the long-standing concerns surrounding delays in the administration of justice, professional standards, and access to the courts, while strengthening the judiciary’s capacity to respond effectively to the needs of citizens.
Defending judicial independence
A central theme of Justice Faal’s speech was the need to protect the judiciary from external pressures and ensure that judicial decisions are based strictly on law.
He stressed that an independent judiciary is indispensable to a democratic society and warned against allowing public opinion, popular sentiment, or pressure from interest groups to influence judicial decisions.
“Justice must be administered according to law and not according to public opinion,” he declared.
He said the legitimacy of the judiciary rests on adherence to the rule of law rather than popular opinion, arguing that the law must be applied impartially regardless of whether a particular outcome is popular or unpopular.
“As Chief Justice, I pledge that I will always follow the law and I will never be swayed by external influence,” Justice Faal said.
A call to the Bar and Bench
The new Chief Justice also called on both judges and lawyers to recognize their shared responsibility in protecting the integrity of the legal system and maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice.
While acknowledging that the bench and bar have different responsibilities, he said their roles are complementary and ultimately serve a common purpose.
He urged members of the legal profession to uphold the authority of the courts and place the interests of justice above other considerations.
Justice Faal said he expects every member of the Bar to discharge their duties faithfully, emphasizing that the proper administration of justice requires commitment from all actors within the legal system.
Returning home to serve
Justice Faal described his appointment as a rare opportunity for a Gambian to return home and place his experience, knowledge, and skills at the service of the Gambian people.
He expressed appreciation to President Adama Barrow for the confidence placed in him and also thanked the Judicial Service Commission for fulfilling its constitutional role in the appointment process.
His appointment takes effect at a time when the judiciary is facing growing expectations from citizens for faster, more accessible, and credible justice.
For Justice Faal, the challenge now is to translate his stated commitments into institutional reforms and improvements that ordinary Gambians can feel in their interaction with the courts.
He concluded his inaugural remarks with a prayer for wisdom, clarity, and fairness in the administration of justice, asking for divine guidance to ensure that the judiciary serves the country without fear or favor.
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