Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has inaugurated the Small Claims and Debt Recovery Courts at the District Court at La, today, marking a significant step in addressing the increasing volume of small claims cases.
This initiative aims to alleviate the overwhelming caseloads faced by district courts, particularly those involving Bills Micro Credit Limited, formerly known as Quick Credit & Investment Micro-Credit Ltd.
The Judicial Service’s introduction of these specialised courts comes in response to the substantial rise in small claims, which has been straining the existing court system.
Data from the Adenta District Court revealed a backlog of 773 active cases as of May 2024, with Quick Credit & Investment Micro-Credit Ltd accounting for 120 of these, roughly 15% of the total.
Notably, over 70% of these claims were for amounts under GH₵5000.
The new Small Claims and Debt Recovery Courts will, therefore, operate in a pilot phase with 12 courts across Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. Eight of the courts will be in Accra.
These courts will function on weekdays and Saturdays, aiming to resolve cases more swiftly. Specifically, the courts will be open from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on weekdays and 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays.
Chief Justice Torkornoo highlighted on Tuesday the significance of this initiative, noting that it is designed to expedite the resolution of debt recovery cases and improve judicial efficiency.
She emphasised that while the initiative was spurred by the volume of claims from Quick Credit, it will serve all financial institutions, addressing the broader challenge of timely justice.
Municipal Chief Executive, Solomon Kotey Nikoi, at the launch, underscored the court’s potential to enhance justice accessibility and reduce case backlogs.
He commended the initiative for its role in expediting debt recovery and praised Chief Justice Torkornoo’s leadership in this endeavour.
Richard Nii Armah Quaye, Chairman of Bills Micro Credit Limited, expressed gratitude for the new courts, acknowledging the relief it brings to handling over 30,000 defaulter cases.
He lauded the court’s role in fostering a healthier economic environment through prompt dispute resolution and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to ethical practices and cooperation with the judiciary.
The launch marks a crucial development in Ghana’s judicial landscape, aiming to provide a more efficient and effective resolution mechanism for small claims and debt recovery.
