The ECOWAS Court is working towards reviewing its rules of procedure in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
In his welcome address, at a three-day judicial retreat of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, opened on 13th of November, 2023 in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, Hon Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the Court, said the retreat gives judges and key staff of the registry, legal research and support departments, an opportunity to “review the performance of the Court and proffer solutions to perceived gaps to ensure a more effective discharge of its mandate.”
He said that the retreat will focus on four issues specific to the Court – special forms of proceedings; judgments of the Court and its execution; service of legal documents on the parties and their dispatch to the judges, the role of the chief registrar, deputy registrar and other registrars in the case management process; and the role of the registry and legal research department in support of the judge rapporteur.
“Through your individual and collective contributions, you will help realise the hopes and aspirations of its estimated 300 million citizens for their socio-economic well-being through the integration of the economies of its 15 Member States,” he added.
He reiterated that the judicial retreat will be devoted to addressing the identified key challenges and proffer recommendations with timelines for its implementation, aimed at strengthening the case law of the Court and positioning it as a pacesetter among regional courts.
On the objectives and expectations of the judicial retreat, the chief registrar, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, said that a periodic review of the Rules of Procedure of the Court is in accordance with Article 32 of the 2005 Supplementary Protocol on the Court.
He added: “The output of this Judicial Retreat will have a far-reaching impact on the improved case management processes of the Court and the efficient collaboration between the chambers of the Honourable Judges, the Registry and the Legal Research Department”.
