The Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has issued a new directive requiring all newly filed cases and applications in Ghana’s superior courts to be submitted directly to his office for assignment and scheduling.

The directive, dated April 23, 2025, was communicated through the Deputy Judicial Secretary to all Registrars of the High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.

It mandates that every fresh filing—whether a case or an application—must be brought to the attention of the Acting Chief Justice for appropriate court assignments or the empanelling of judges, particularly in instances involving multiple courts.

The new measure also centralises the fixing of hearing dates under the supervision of the Chief Justice, effectively streamlining judicial scheduling at the highest levels.

“This directive overrides all previous instructions or practices relating to court assignments and the fixing of hearing dates,” the memo stated. “It shall remain in force until further notice.”

Court registrars across the country have been directed to strictly comply with the order, which marks a significant shift in the administration of judicial processes in the superior courts.

The development follows the recent appointment of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Acting Chief Justice after the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.