The office of His Lordship, the chief justice, Abdoul Karim Savage, has announced the setting up of a special court within the criminal division of the High Court, tasked specifically to deal with capital and serious criminal offences.

According to a press release from the Office of the Chief Justice, this court has been provided to expedite criminal cases by giving these matters accelerated day to day hearing. High Court judge Hon. Justice Mosses B Johnson-Richards, has been assigned to the court. The move, the release stated, follows stakeholders' consultations, involving key officials in the persons of the inspector general of police and the director of public prosecutions. The Bar, which has pledged the support, co-operation and collaboration of defence lawyers to the scheme, was also involved in the consultation, the release added. It went on to say that the objective of the initiative is to ensure that criminal cases are concluded within three months.

As part of the implementation, almost all pending serious criminal cases in the magistrates courts within the Greater Banjul Area have been transferred to this special court, the release further stated, while calling on all parties, witnesses, as well as the police and prison services to give the new arrangement all the support and co-operation it requires in the interest of speedy justice delivery.

Appointment of two Gambian magistrates
Meanwhile, the Judicial Service Commission has also announced the appointment of two Gambians, Basiru Vassili Portier Mahoney and Fredric C Foster, as senior magistrate and magistrate Class 1, respectively.

Mr Mahoney holds degrees and postgraduate diplomas in Law and International Hospitality Management. He enrolled at the Hnourable Society of the Gray's Inn and was called to the English Bar in 2001. In 2002, he enrolled as a legal practitioner in The Gambia, and has since then been in private practice.

The second, Frederick C Foster, holds a Bachelor of Law's (LLB-Hons) Degree from the University of London. Senior Magistrate Mahoney replaces Sagar Jahateh, who resigned recently, at the Kanifing Magistrates court, while Magistrate Forster assumes duty at the Bundung Magistrate court.