The Chief Justice (CJ), Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has directed the extension of working hours at High Courts from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. as special Court sessions dedicated to addressing backlogs in specific criminal cases begin on Monday, February 9, 2026.
These dedicated courts will focus on specific cases such as cybercrime, galamsey (illegal mining), human trafficking, and cross-border crimes. The initiative is part of efforts to streamline justice delivery and manage specific high-risk or high-volume cases more efficiently.
In a circular sighted by Starrfm.com.gh signed by the Chief Justice, dated February 5, 2026, and distributed to all levels of the Courts, including judges, magistrates, heads of departments, and regional administrators, the CJ directs that offices at the High Courts be opened from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.
“By virtue of the powers conferred on me by Rule 3(1) of Order 79 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (CI 47), I hereby direct that the offices of the High Court shall be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays,” the CJ stated in his circular sighted by Starrfm.com.gh.
Order 79 Rule 1 of CI47 which talks about days and hours of sittings of the High Courts, states that “Subject to the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459) as amended, the Chief Justice may appoint any day including vacations for the hearing of causes or matters as circumstances require.”
The above provision is what the Chief Justice has relied on by directing the extension of Court sessions at the High Court from 8am to 6:30pm.
The High Courts before now opens from 8:00am to 4:00pm but this directive has extended it by additional two hours and thirty minutes beginning from February 9, 2026.
Below is a copy of the circular:
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
