“When you go to court, do not give money to any Court Registrar to prepare a document for you.
They are not Lawyers and therefore not qualified to prepare certain court documents”, she said.
Justice Torkornoo was speaking at the Chief Justice’s Community Sensitization Programme in Kwabenya,
in the Ga East Municipal Assembly. The Sensitization Programme under the theme “Improving Justice
Delivery through Community Engagement is an initiative of the Hon. Lady Chief Justice which offers her
the opportunity to interact directly and educate citizens in communities, as part of the inauguration of
courts in communities. The intention is to demystify the work of the Judiciary and inspire confidence
in the office she occupies.
Cross section of chiefs in attendance
Justice Torkornoo expressed concerns about the manner in which some Court Registrars held themselves
out as Lawyers capable of preparing all court documents after collecting monies from court users.
“Many of them end up submitting unprepared documents and it poses challenges for the court because
sometimes very vital and important information are not included” she said.
She also used the opportunity to caution Court Registrars to desist from posturing as Lawyers and collecting
monies from people, warning, she would deal with anyone found culpable in any illegal activity.
Cross section of Participants at the programme
The Chief Justice also spoke at length on Court Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (CCADR) and
its benefits, stressing the private, win-win outcome it provides, in addition to being a less cumbersome
process, as opposed to litigation.
“ADR is private as it is not done in open court, so confidentiality is assured. It is less stressful and the
good thing is that the parties themselves come up with their own terms of settlement”, she said.
CJ (left) assisted by Dome Kwabenya MP, Chief of the Area, MCE and Judicial Secretary
to cut the tape to officially open the Circuit Court, Kwabenya
She further encouraged the public to write to her office through the Complaints Units of the Judicial Service,
detailing their concerns or grievances and promised to address them speedily.
“Every day, my office receives not less than 10 letters from different people across the country and it is
handled swiftly. Do not be bothered about writing perfect grammar, just write. We will understand and act on it”,
she said.
Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo also explained to the gathering, the jurisdictions of the Courts, Legal
Aid and the need to pay the right court fees and obtain receipts for all payments made.
Chief Justice directly engaging the audience at the sensitization programme
An important component of the Sensitization Programme was the Question and Answer Session where
participants asked the Chief Justice questions directly, on the topics she spoke about and on other matters
concerning justice delivery.
Participants asking questions
So far the Chief Justice’s Community Sensitization Programme has been organized in five other communities –
Baatsonaa in the Tema West Municipality, Ada in the Ada East District, both in the Greater Accra Region and
New Abirem in the Birem North Municipality, Akwatia in the Denkyembour District and Kroboa Coaltar in the
Ayensuano District, all in the Eastern Region.