Piloting of small claims debt recovery courts begin

Piloting of the Small Claims Debt Recovery Courts established by the Judicial Service began on August 12, 2024, in the 12 selected District Courts in Greater Accra and Ashanti Region.

These courts aim to address the increasing caseloads on small claims and debts in the District Courts.

The courts will sit from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm every working day and from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays.

While launching the debt and claims recovery courts last week, the Chief Justice admitted the surge in small claims cases in Ghana's District Courts, necessitating immediate action.

Inspired by the efforts of Bills MicroCredit (Quick Credit & Investment Micro-Credit Ltd), the courts will address the backlog of cases in these areas.

Her Ladyship observed that a recent analysis by her office showed a substantial increase in small claims cases due to thousands of new filings by Bills MicroCredit.

The Judicial Service's quality assurance unit and monitoring department therefore examined seven district courts in Accra—Adenta District Courts 1 & 2, Teshie, Sowutuom, Ashaiman, Weija, and Gbese. 

The department subsequently made a finding that in Adenta District Courts 1 & 2, Quick Credit & Investment Micro-Credit Ltd accounted for 120 of the 773 active cases as of May 2024, with over 70% of these claims being under GH₵5000 and the same was consistent across the sampled courts.

In Greater Accra, Saturday courts will be located at District Court, Ashaiman; District Court, Teshie; District Court, Kasoa; and District Court, La. 

Weekday afternoon courts will be at District Court, Weija; District Court, Sowutuom; District Court '2', Adenta; and District Court, Gbese. 

In the Ashanti Region, Saturday courts will operate at District Court '2', Asokwa, and District Court '1', Prempeh Assembly Hall, while weekday afternoon courts will be held at Circuit Court '2', Asokwa, and Asokwa Circuit Court Conference Hall.