WORKSHOP TO FINALISE THE HEADNOTES FOR THE LAW REPORTS OF THE COURT OPENS NEAR ABUJA

A weeklong workshop organized by the Community Court of Justice to enable its legal staff finalise the headnotes for the outstanding law reports of the Court for the period  2018 and 2021 has opened in Nassarawa State near Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The President of the Court, Honorable Justice Edward Amoako Asante said  the workshop will enable the Court ‘address the backlog in the publication of the Law Reports of the Court,’ which provides the appropriate platform for exposing its enviable jurisprudence to judicial institutions and the academic community.

In his speech, which was read by the Vice President, Justice Gberi be Ouattara,  the President said said that despite the 2018 reduction in the numbers of its judges from seven to five, ‘the Court has remained undaunted through the single-minded determination of the judges, who have demonstrated their commitment to strengthening the Court’s enviable jurisprudence  through the quality and number of its decisions”

“ This feat has received global recognition evidenced by the recent award bestowed on the Court as the winner of the 2022 Columbia University Global Freedom of Expression award  in the category of significant legal ruling  in respect of its decision in the case of Amnesty International Togo, versus the Republic of Togo,” the President noted.

The President used the opportunity to congratulate his colleague judges ‘whose tireless efforts have been rewarded,’ stressing the importance of ensuring that the decisions of the Court are globally accessible  through the timely publication of law reports.

He noted that the last publication of the Court’s law reports was for the 2014 and 2015 editions, adding that the participants are expected to finalise the headnotes for the 175 outstanding rulings and judgments of the Court produced by its legal staff.

Presenting an overview of the objectives and expectations of the workshop, the Chief Registrar, Mr. Tony Anene-Maidoh said the participants will consider the summaries of the decisions and the legal principles extracted to facilitate the publication of the backlog of law reports.

“ This Court has delivered landmark decisions that have attracted global attention to its jurisprudence and commendations from international organisations, the most recent being  the award by Columbia University,” the Chief Registrar added.

He paid tribute to the current college of judges of the Court for their hard work and industry which should be promoted by making its decisions more accessible globally through the timely publication of its law reports.

The Chief Registrar said the headnotes will ensure uniformity in pagination and that its elements should include the legal principles in each case, a summary of the facts, issues for determination and the Decision of the Court.

The workshop is being attended by judges and legal staff of the Court.