Gambia’s Legal System Strained by Backlogs and Staffing Shortages, Bar Official Says

By Makutu Manneh

Persistent court backlogs and shortages of judicial staff are significantly slowing the administration of justice in The Gambia, according to Abdoulie Fatty, secretary general of the Gambia Bar Association.

In an interview with QTV, Mr. Fatty said delays in resolving cases remain the most pressing concern for legal practitioners across the country.

“If you speak to any lawyer, the most immediate concern is how long it takes for cases to be determined and disposed of in this country,” he said.

He noted that courts are inundated, with some judges handling at least 150 cases while certain magistrate courts preside over more than 20 cases at a time; “cases take an awful long time to conclude.”

Courts, he noted, are overwhelmed. Some judges are managing caseloads of at least 150 matters, while certain magistrate courts handle more than 20 cases in a single sitting. “Cases take an awful long time to conclude,” he said.

Mr. Fatty attributed the delays to a combination of systemic challenges, including limited personnel and gaps in institutional capacity. He said responsibility for improving the system rests with all stakeholders, though he emphasized that shortcomings in service delivery within the courts remain a central issue.

A lack of technological infrastructure continues to hinder efficiency, he added, noting that many judges and magistrates still record oral submissions by hand—a process that slows proceedings.

Still, he pointed to incremental progress. “One or two courts have begun using technology to transcribe speech,” he said, describing it as a development that has helped accelerate hearings in those instances.

Court proceedings are also frequently disrupted by logistical constraints, including the absence of interpreters and scheduling conflicts involving court staff.

“Sometimes you go to court, and there is no interpreter, or the clerk has classes at a university,” Mr. Fatty said. “Some of these things disturb cases from proceeding.”