Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed has directed registrars and court clerks across Ghana to immediately notify lawyers and litigants whenever a scheduled court sitting cannot take place, in an effort to minimise unnecessary travel, financial losses and frustration arising from delayed communication about adjournments.
The directive, issued in a circular dated Monday, October 12, 2026, and addressed to all registrars and court clerks, takes immediate effect. It requires court officials to inform all affected legal practitioners and litigants on record as soon as they become aware that a scheduled hearing or sitting will not proceed.
The circular acknowledged that lawyers and litigants continue to suffer considerable inconvenience and financial hardship because information about cancelled or adjourned proceedings is sometimes communicated too late.
It emphasised that the effective administration of justice depends not only on the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary but also on the efficiency, professionalism and reliability of court registries in organising proceedings and communicating with the parties involved.
“As soon as it becomes apparent that a court will be unable to sit, the Registrar or assigned Court Clerk must take immediate steps to notify all counsel/ litigants involved in the affected matters,” the circular stated.
It further observed that failures to communicate such changes promptly impose avoidable costs on court users and risk weakening public confidence in the judicial system.
Under the new instructions, registrars and designated court clerks are required to use the most effective digital communication platforms available to notify affected parties. These include WhatsApp, text messages and email, allowing information about disrupted proceedings to reach lawyers and litigants without unnecessary delays.
The directive also places responsibility on court registries to maintain accurate and up to date contact information for lawyers appearing before their respective courts. Reliable records are expected to make it easier for officials to communicate changes to hearing schedules and minimise the possibility of affected parties being left uninformed.
The Judicial Secretary warned that registrars who fail to provide timely notification when it is reasonably possible to do so would be regarded as having committed a serious dereliction of duty. The warning underscores the importance attached to effective communication as part of the responsibilities of judicial administrative personnel.
Heads of courts have also been instructed to ensure that the circular is circulated immediately and that registrars and court clerks under their supervision comply strictly with its requirements.
The measures are intended to improve the accessibility and efficiency of the justice delivery system while demonstrating greater consideration for the time, resources and practical circumstances of lawyers, litigants and other court users.
By requiring prompt communication whenever a scheduled sitting cannot proceed, the directive seeks to reduce avoidable journeys to court, limit unnecessary expenditure and improve the management of judicial business.
The circular concluded by reaffirming the public service responsibility of the judiciary’s administrative staff, stating: “We are here to serve the public, and that service must be characterised by professionalism and clear communication.”
The directive places renewed emphasis on the role of court registries in ensuring that the administration of justice is supported by timely information, dependable procedures and professional engagement with the public.
