CJ Launches small claims, debt recovery courts in 12 districts
By DL News
Published
2 min read
Inspired by the efforts of Bills MicroCredit (Quick Credit & Investment Micro-Credit Ltd), the courts will address the backlog of cases in these areas.
The Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo, has launched debt and claims recovery courts in 12 selected district courts in Accra and Kumasi.
Inspired by the efforts of Bills MicroCredit (Quick Credit & Investment Micro-Credit Ltd), the courts will address the backlog of cases in these areas.
Speaking at the launch of these courts at the district court in La, Accra, on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the Chief Justice noted the surge in small claims cases in Ghana's District Courts, necessitating immediate action.
Her Ladyship observed that a recent analysis by her office showed a substantial increase in small claims cases due to thousands of new filings by Bills MicroCredit.
The Judicial Service's quality assurance unit and monitoring department therefore examined seven district courts in Accra—Adenta District Courts 1 & 2, Teshie, Sowutuom, Ashaiman, Weija, and Gbese.
The department subsequently made a finding that in Adenta District Courts 1 & 2, Quick Credit & Investment Micro-Credit Ltd accounted for 120 of the 773 active cases as of May 2024, with over 70% of these claims being under GH₵5000 and the same was consistent across the sampled courts.
To address this issue, a collaborative solution was developed between the Judicial Service and Bills MicroCredit, reflecting a public-private partnership aimed at promoting justice.
The new Small Claims and Debt Recovery Courts will operate initially on a pilot basis, covering 12 courts—eight in Greater Accra and four in the Ashanti Region. These courts will hold sessions from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on weekdays and from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays.
In Greater Accra, Saturday courts will be located at District Court, Ashaiman; District Court, Teshie; District Court, Kasoa; and District Court, La.
Weekday afternoon courts will be at District Court, Weija; District Court, Sowutuom; District Court '2', Adenta; and District Court, Gbese.
In the Ashanti Region, Saturday courts will operate at District Court '2', Asokwa, and District Court '1', Prempeh Assembly Hall, while weekday afternoon courts will be held at Circuit Court '2', Asokwa, and Asokwa Circuit Court Conference Hall.
The Chief Justice expressed hope that these new courts, with the cooperation of citizens and businesses, would effectively handle the nearly 55,000 claims filed by Quick Credit & Investment Micro-Credit Ltd.
