A new judge in the person of Almami Fanding Taal has been appointed as a High Court judge.

According to a press release from the Office of the Chief Justice signed by Haruna Jaiteh, Jucial secretary, the new judge will assume his duties when sworn in by the president, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh. The full text of the release, which also announced the swearing-in of five magistrates, is reproduced below.

His Excellency the president, acting under the provisions of section 138 (2) of the Constitution, has recently approved the appointment of Mr. Almami Fanding Taal as judge of the High Court. Until his appointment, Mr Taal was in private practice. He had served at Attorney General's Chambers and the Gambia Divestitute Agency for seven years before going into private practice. His appointment brings the total of High Court judges to fifteen, with a record number of eleven Gambians. Mr. Taal will assume duties when sworn in by His Excellency the President.

Meanwhile, five magistrates were sworn in by the Hon Chief Justice during the past two weeks. Among them are two principal magistrates, Mr. Emmanuel Azumda Amadim - Nigerian and Mr Emmanuel Aleambong Nkea - Cameroonian. The others are Mr. Charles W. Sarr Thomas - 1st class magistrate and Mr Monodou LK Bojang, CRG, and Mr Abdoulie KM Jallow - 2nd class magistrates. In another development, the Judicial Service Commission has appointed Mr. Ousman K Sidibe, a young Gambian law graduate as 1st class magistrate.

In a further move, the provincial magistracy has been strengthened. North Bank and Lower River Regions, which had one Magistrate between them, now have three; while Central River and Upper Regions, which shared one, also have three. These magistrate districts are now each covered by a magistrate.

1. Essau and Kerewan (NBR); 2.Farafenni (NBR); 3. Mansakonko (LRR); 4. Kaur, Kuntaur and Janjanburay (CRR-north); 5.    Bansang, Brikamana and Jarreng (CRR-south); 6. Basse, Sare-Ngai, Diabugu and Fatoto (CRR).

The move is intended to complement the decentralization efforts of government and enhance access to justice to the bulk of the rural population. Finally, two 1st class magistrates, Mr Sheriff A Tabally and Mr Frederick C Forster, will proceed on a year's study leave to pursue further professional training at Sierra Leone Law School leading to Barrister-at-Law (BL). They both hold bachelor of Law (LLB) Degrees from British Universities.