Back and Next - Back and NextPresident Jammeh’s speech at the 2007/8 Legal Year ceremony
Monday, December 10, 2007
A vision for an indigenized & effective legal system accessible to all
A major step taken by my government two years ago was to empower the judiciary to manage its financial, materials and human resources as required under the constitution, thereby ensuring that it achieves an autonomous status.
The 1997 Constitution introduced significant changes regarding the judiciary. Comprehensive provisions were provided to facilitate the autonomy. The judiciary service commission was enlarged to include members of the legal sector.
The Cadi Court system was redefined and the Cadi Appeal Panel was established to hear appeals and sanitize the system to ensure efficiency and expediency. Further legislative changes resulted in the establishment of other adjudicator bodies dealing with specific issues. These include the Children's Court, the Drugs Court and the Rent Tribunal among others.
My government has since 1994 invested heavily in developing the infrastructure of the judiciary ensuring that facilities are available for the operation of the sector. This includes the Supreme Court Building, the Banjul Magistrates Court and Cadi Court complex, the Bundung Magistrate and Cadi Court premises, the Regional High Court and the Judges' Quarters at Basse, Brikama and Mansakonko.
In addition to the new structures mentioned, my government also completely refurbished the Kanifing Magistrates and Cadi Court as well as Brikama Magistrates Court.
Recognizing the importance of the legal profession to the socio-economic development of a nation was the driving force that spurred my government to establish the Law School at the University of The Gambia with a view to meeting the human resource needs of the sector. This institution will facilitate the evolution and enrichment of adequate local jurisprudence and ensure legal intellectual growth. Another very significant government agenda is our drive to indigenize the Bench by 2011.
We hope to do this by providing attractive, sustainable and conducive conditions and working environment. As you already know, the process of indigenization has commenced with the appointment, two years ago, of the first Gambian to head the judiciary and of course the recent appointment of three Gambians as High Court judges. As a mark of goodwill and recognition, I have honored two senior private practitioners with distinguished National Medals during the last investiture program. Symbolic as these decorations might be, they signify an acknowledgement by government of the contributions that private lawyers and legal practitioners have made in our development process.
In terms of support, my government has never failed or wavered in our responsibility to provide the judiciary with all the necessary funding, logistics and vehicles required. My government's commitment, at the national level, to fight and eradicate poverty is abundantly evident.
We have formulated and are implementing well calculated policies and plans for the realization of Vision 2020, the Silicon Valley and other development blue prints. It is indeed crucial, in the attainment of our development aspirations, that we have in place an effective judicial and legal system that is very clear in its overall vision and strategy and one that would ensure access to justice, upholds the rule of law and guarantees human rights.
My government has therefore adopted the LEGAL SECTOR STRATEGY 2007 – 2011 as an integral part of The Gambia POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY PAPER (PRSP) to drive the sector's vision.
The main focus of this sector's strategy is on the people, on values, on reform, on quality services and public relations. The key areas of the strategy are its human resources, the legal and regulatory framework, legal services and education... and infrastructure development.
Therefore, on this auspicious occasion, I call on all the members of the legal fraternity and all other stakeholders to review their commitment and rededicate themselves by redoubling their efforts towards the development of the legal sector.
The sector has a noble mission indeed, which is "to advance the course of justice and the rule of law by ensuring free, fair and speedy dispensation of justice by an independent judiciary and an efficient justice delivery system with highly trained and committed staff that will command the support and confidence of the people".
This mission will not be accomplished unless all of you work purposefully together in total unison and in partnership with government and other stakeholders. On that note, I have the singular honor and privilege to declare the 2007/2008 legal year open. I thank you for your very kind attention.
A major step taken by my government two years ago was to empower the judiciary to manage its financial, materials and human resources as required under the constitution, thereby ensuring that it achieves an autonomous status.
The 1997 Constitution introduced significant changes regarding the judiciary. Comprehensive provisions were provided to facilitate the autonomy. The judiciary service commission was enlarged to include members of the legal sector.
The Cadi Court system was redefined and the Cadi Appeal Panel was established to hear appeals and sanitize the system to ensure efficiency and expediency. Further legislative changes resulted in the establishment of other adjudicator bodies dealing with specific issues. These include the Children's Court, the Drugs Court and the Rent Tribunal among others.
My government has since 1994 invested heavily in developing the infrastructure of the judiciary ensuring that facilities are available for the operation of the sector. This includes the Supreme Court Building, the Banjul Magistrates Court and Cadi Court complex, the Bundung Magistrate and Cadi Court premises, the Regional High Court and the Judges' Quarters at Basse, Brikama and Mansakonko.
In addition to the new structures mentioned, my government also completely refurbished the Kanifing Magistrates and Cadi Court as well as Brikama Magistrates Court.
Recognizing the importance of the legal profession to the socio-economic development of a nation was the driving force that spurred my government to establish the Law School at the University of The Gambia with a view to meeting the human resource needs of the sector. This institution will facilitate the evolution and enrichment of adequate local jurisprudence and ensure legal intellectual growth. Another very significant government agenda is our drive to indigenize the Bench by 2011.
We hope to do this by providing attractive, sustainable and conducive conditions and working environment. As you already know, the process of indigenization has commenced with the appointment, two years ago, of the first Gambian to head the judiciary and of course the recent appointment of three Gambians as High Court judges. As a mark of goodwill and recognition, I have honored two senior private practitioners with distinguished National Medals during the last investiture program. Symbolic as these decorations might be, they signify an acknowledgement by government of the contributions that private lawyers and legal practitioners have made in our development process.
In terms of support, my government has never failed or wavered in our responsibility to provide the judiciary with all the necessary funding, logistics and vehicles required. My government's commitment, at the national level, to fight and eradicate poverty is abundantly evident.
We have formulated and are implementing well calculated policies and plans for the realization of Vision 2020, the Silicon Valley and other development blue prints. It is indeed crucial, in the attainment of our development aspirations, that we have in place an effective judicial and legal system that is very clear in its overall vision and strategy and one that would ensure access to justice, upholds the rule of law and guarantees human rights.
My government has therefore adopted the LEGAL SECTOR STRATEGY 2007 – 2011 as an integral part of The Gambia POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY PAPER (PRSP) to drive the sector's vision.
The main focus of this sector's strategy is on the people, on values, on reform, on quality services and public relations. The key areas of the strategy are its human resources, the legal and regulatory framework, legal services and education... and infrastructure development.
Therefore, on this auspicious occasion, I call on all the members of the legal fraternity and all other stakeholders to review their commitment and rededicate themselves by redoubling their efforts towards the development of the legal sector.
The sector has a noble mission indeed, which is "to advance the course of justice and the rule of law by ensuring free, fair and speedy dispensation of justice by an independent judiciary and an efficient justice delivery system with highly trained and committed staff that will command the support and confidence of the people".
This mission will not be accomplished unless all of you work purposefully together in total unison and in partnership with government and other stakeholders. On that note, I have the singular honor and privilege to declare the 2007/2008 legal year open. I thank you for your very kind attention.
Author: DO
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