The judiciary is in the process of transforming itself into an autonomous public organization. The process will introduce far-reaching changes that will impact on both the management of the institution and the cases in the courts.

This position was revealed by the Hon Chief Justice AK Savage at a three day leadership seminar for top judicial officials and members of the Judicial Service Commission held on Tuesday 7th November 2006, at the Corinthia Atlantic hotel in Banjul.

He however noted that the biggest challenge to the institution lay in implementing, managing and sustaining these changes. He said the judiciary has enough professionally trained lawyers both at the helm and in administration, and in the area of justice delivery, expertise is in abundance. “We have well qualified judges, magistrates and other judicial staff running the law,” he noted.

He said the judiciary is one of the three key governance institutions in the country. Its mandate is intended to strengthen the rule of law and good governance in The Gambia, adding that as a public institution therefore, the Gambian judiciary has its own vision, mission and objectives, and of course challenges. He said the institution is going through considerable changes, which are intended to make it more responsive to the needs of the people. Among other things, a Gambian has for the first time been put at the helm. There are various development activities taking place, such as the implementation of the self-accounting status accorded by the constitution.

The CJ stressed that their main weakness is in the area of general administrative management. The leadership of the judiciary, comprising the top officers and members of the Judicial Service Commission, need to be further sensitized and trained in modern management techniques.

The leadership, he noted, must admit needs to be capacitated and strengthened enough to meet the demands and challenges of the changing nature of the judiciary. Issues of resource mobilization, management and institution-building, need to be met with proper management skills and abilities.

He said the time has come when top judicial officers and members of the judiciary need to be equitable and apply appropriate management practices and techniques. He adduced that the leadership always has the responsibility to ensure that efficient judiciary services are rendered to the Gambian people and to all those opting for Gambian justice. He noted that the judiciary has nearly 300 employees.