Judiciary of The Gambia

THE COURT COMPASS; Introducing the Courts.

Did you know the Courts in The Gambia are set out under Chapter VIll of the 1997 Constitution and are divided into two levels: Superior Courts and the Lower courts.

Superior Courts consist of:
• Supreme Court of The Gambia
• Court of Appeal of The Gambia
• High Court of The Gambia

Lower Courts consist of:
• Magistrates' Courts
• Cadi Courts
• District Tribunals

Plus any other courts created by an Act of the National Assembly.

These bodies together form the Judicature of The Gambia, the country's backbone of justice and the maintenance of law and order in the country.

Happy Thursday!

Today, we launch our new weekly series, The Bench Brief, a space where we share insights, inspirations, and the core values that guide the Judiciary of The Gambia.

Justice is only possible when the law is applied without fear or favor. An independent judiciary ensures that every person, regardless of status, is protected by the Rule of Law.

Stay tuned every Thursday as we bring the bench closer to the people.

On 25 February 2026, Hon. Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow presided over the swearing-in of six Commissioners for Oaths and one Justice of the Peace. Mr. Manlafi Jammeh delivered a vote of thanks and, on behalf of his colleagues, assured that they will uphold the responsibilities bestowed upon them and work with dedication and commitment.

The Chief Justice urged them to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and wished them all the best in their respective portfolios.

On 24 February 2026, a delegation from the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, led by the Chief Registrar Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, paid a courtesy call to Hon. Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow ahead of the ECOWAS Court of Justice International Conference to be held in The Gambia in April 2026.

The conference aims to raise awareness across West Africa about the Court’s mandate, its developing jurisprudence, and how individuals and institutions can access its services. The delegation stressed that this outreach is essential because many people in the region remain unaware of the Court’s existence.

Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and highlighted the Judiciary’s pivotal role in ensuring the conference’s success. Hon. Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow assured the delegation of the Judiciary of The Gambia’s full support and confirmed the Judiciary’s participation. He expressed his anticipation of a productive and successful conference.

Today marks 61 years of resilience, growth, and our shared national legacy! Under the leadership of His Lordship Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow, the judiciary of The Gambia reaffirms its steadfast commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law.

As we celebrate our journey, let’s embrace the promise of a prosperous and united Gambia ahead.

@61

“No nation, despite the wealth of its national resources, can make sustained progress without harnessing its human capital. The people must always be the agents, the catalysts and beneficiaries of any process of development.” ~Hon. Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow.

Today, Honorable Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow spoke at the National Dialogue ahead of the nation’s 61st Independence Celebration. This year’s event brings together a cross section of Gambian society for a national reflection on the urgency of self-reliance and the importance of harnessing The Gambia’s human capital and infrastructural resources for an inclusive leap to prosperity.

The office of His Lordship, the Hon. Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow, CRG, regrets to announce the sudden demise of His Worship, Magistrate Thomas Faud Touray assigned to Kanifing Magistrate Court.

As we wrap up the 2026 Legal Year ceremony, the Judiciary of The Gambia organized a social event today, attended by the Ministry of Justice and the Gambia Bar Association.

Participants took the opportunity to promote wellness, engage in meaningful discussions, and foster connections within the broader legal fraternity.

The Hon. Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow expressed gratitude to the Chairperson of the Legal Year Committee, Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, and his team for their exceptional coordination of the 2026 Legal Year.

He also extended his thanks to the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hussein Thomasi, along with his staff, as well as the President of the Gambia Bar Association, Ms. Neneh MC. Cham, the members of the Bar, and the Judicial Staff for gracing the event.

The judiciary of The Gambia, as part of its 2026 legal year ceremony, is hosting a training for judges on the Draft High Court Civil Procedure Rules.

The Hon. Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow emphasized the importance of these new rules in modernizing civil litigation and improving access to justice.

Key objectives of the draft rules include reducing delays, ensuring proportionality in procedures, strengthening judicial control of proceedings, and creating a self-contained Gambian procedural code.

This initiative marks a significant step toward transitioning from party-driven litigation to a more efficient, court-managed justice system.

As part of the 2026 Legal Year Ceremony, the Committee on the Review of Land Dispute Adjudication System, chaired by Justice BVP Mahoney, yesterday held a meeting with Governors, Presidents, and Members of the District Tribunals. This gathering marks a crucial step in resolving land disputes and enhancing our collaborative efforts for justice.

The Judiciary of The Gambia today inaugurated the Special Criminal Division of the High Court in Mile 7, Bakau. This landmark step will help expedite criminal cases and strengthen justice delivery. The Honorable Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow expressed gratitude to the British High Commission and the Gambia Bar Association for their continued support.