Ghana’s courts to begin e-filing from October-Chief Justice

Electronic filing, electronic authentication and electronic service of court processes will become the new standard in Ghana’s justice delivery system from October 1, 2026.

Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie announced the reform at the climax of the Supreme Court’s 150th anniversary celebration in Accra.

He said the move marks the beginning of a new phase for the Judiciary after 150 years of formal court administration in Ghana.

According to him, the anniversary is not only a moment to reflect on the past, but also an opportunity to begin a more modern and accessible justice system.

“This anniversary is not simply a celebration of 150 years. It is also the beginning of the Judiciary's next chapter. And we have chosen to begin that chapter, not merely with speeches, but with action,” he said.

The Chief Justice said the new system will formally introduce electronic filing, electronic authentication and electronic service of court documents as part of ordinary court practice.

“Today, exactly 150 years after the establishment of the formal court system in this country, we cross a threshold that will formally usher in a new era through the implementation of electronic filing, electronic authentication, and electronic service of court processes, as the new norm for the administration of justice in Ghana, starting from 1st October of this year,” he stated.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said the rollout will begin at the Supreme Court at the start of the new legal year in October.

It will later be extended to the Court of Appeal and High Courts across the country.

He stressed that the reform is not merely about adding technology to existing court processes.

Rather, he said, it represents a clear institutional decision to make justice delivery faster, easier and less dependent on physical access to court registries.

“This is not mere technological flourish. It is a statement of institutional direction,” he said.

The Chief Justice explained that the automation of court processes is intended to reduce delays, cut down unnecessary bureaucracy and remove barriers created by distance.

“It reflects our determination to ensure that access to justice is no longer unnecessarily constrained by geography, bureaucracy, or avoidable delay,” he added.

The announcement comes as the Judiciary continues efforts to improve efficiency, reduce case backlogs and make court services more accessible to the public.

With the October rollout, the Supreme Court will become the first court to operate under the new electronic process system before the reform is expanded to other superior courts.