GBA President ‘in error’ on legal vacation, trial - Deputy AG

A sharp disagreement has emerged over the conduct of trials during Ghana's legal vacation, with a deputy attorney general directly challenging the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA). Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, the deputy attorney general, stated that the GBA president's assertions, made in a letter to the Chief Justice on August 10, 2024, are erroneous.

The GBA president's letter contained two main points. Firstly, it claimed that "Vacation Courts" are restricted to handling only emergency cases. This statement, according to Dr. Srem-Sai, mischaracterizes the scope and function of these courts. The deputy attorney general implies that trials beyond emergencies can and do take place during the legal vacation period.

This dispute highlights a potential misunderstanding or differing interpretation of judicial procedures and the operational guidelines for courts during the annual legal break. The GBA president's letter aimed to address concerns about trial conduct, but the deputy attorney general's rebuttal suggests a need for clarification on the precise rules governing legal proceedings during this time. The Ghanaian Times reported on the GBA president's claims and the subsequent correction from the deputy attorney general.