The Lesotho Judiciary has over the past two years registered some successes which led to the improvement in service delivery.

This, Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane revealed in his remarks at the opening of the High Court of Lesotho on Wednesday.

He said 11 judges were appointed over two years, adding that they have managed to fill at least 15 positions.

He however noted that more judges are still needed as they still have many cases that include Constitutional cases which require three judges.

He added that with the effort to improve access to justice, the Judiciary has embarked on a journey of decentralising its services across the country as it has inaugurated a High Court Northern division at Ts’ífa-li-Mali in Leribe. He said this High Court has been allocated three judges and serves Leribe, Butha-Buthe and Mokhotlong.

Chief Justice further revealed that feasibility studies are underway for the creation of another division that will serve Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing and Qacha’s Nek. He added that following the death of two Judges of the Commercial Court, three judges have been assigned to that court.

He pointed out two magistrates have been deployed at Ha Mohale as an extension of Maseru Magistrate Court, and it will serve all rural posts of the district of Maseru as well as the mountainous part thereof.

He stated that since its inception, the Judicial Commissioners Court has been operating from Maseru and reaching out to the districts by holding sessions to ensure that this Court has a regional footprint, and a Judicial Commissioner for the northern region of the country has been appointed.

Chief Justice said the Judiciary is in the process of upgrading Children’s Courts to internationally accepted child-friendly standards, noting that four districts have been earmarked for this project thus; Maseru, Berea, Leribe and Mohale’s Hoek.

He said Small Claims Court has gained popularity as indicated by the increase in the number of cases received and registered, however, it is affected by challenges such as theft, difficulty in the execution of warrants of arrest due to lack of transport and inadequate office space for the keeping of court records among others.

He noted that during the years 2021-2022, the Court Martial processed 13 cases, attributing this low number of cases to the improving standards of discipline in the Army.

Regardless of financial challenges, the Lesotho judiciary strives to remain proactive and trustworthy while ensuring the efficient administration of justice to all.

Source: LENA 01/02/2023