Judge and applicant instructed same counsel: grounds for recusal?
In this most unusual set of circumstances, a Namibian acting judge, while still in his permanent post as principal magistrate, needed to bring an insurance claim. His insurance company sent formal instructions to counsel. Now, as acting judge, he has an applicant...
Lesotho’s Acting Chief Justice names fellow judges likely biased against her
The Acting Chief Justice of Lesotho, the woman who recently brought a hall full of African judges to their feet with applause as she explained the difficult circumstances under which judges and magistrates in that country operate, is on notice that she is fighting for...
Stunning decision by the Supreme Court of the UK
Decision by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to suspend Parliament was 'unlawful' For a South African watching Lady Hale in the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom this morning, delivering a judgment that had the unanimous support of 11 justices - the maximum that may...
In their own words …
Sluggish counsel taken to task AG v Registrar of the High Court & Ors High Court, Lesotho Judge Charles Hungwe Judge Charles Hungwe of Zimbabwe has agreed to hear some high-profile and politically-charged criminal cases in Lesotho. In a recent application...
Another kind of crime
South Africa's 'Green Scorpions' would seem to punch well above their weight - if you consider the stats in the recent national environmental compliance report. Two significant official reports were issued last week. One, with national crime statistics, came from the...
Demolish unlawful sewerage works – Environmental Tribunal
Kenya’s National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has been given a tough lesson in obeying the country’s environmental laws by the National Environmental Tribunal. The NEMA had given the go-ahead for a major sewerage works to be built close to a stream and a...
Fight over defence fees in controversial Lesotho trial
The Zimbabwean judge due to preside in Lesotho over a series of high-profile murder and attempted murder cases, has begun to stamp his authority on the matter. This week, Judge Charles Hungwe showed his patience was running out with the constant delays preventing the...
Seychelles appoints leading Ugandan judge to its apex court
The Court of Appeal in Seychelles, that country’s highest judicial forum, has been joined by one of the continent’s leading judges who is also a prominent academic writer on the issues of gender-based violence. Judge Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza of Uganda’s apex...
‘Neglect, dereliction of duty’ by prosecution – and father convicted of child rape goes free
Three judges of Zambia’s supreme court have set free a father who was convicted of raping his young daughter and sentenced to 35 years with hard labour. How did it happen that what appeared a secure conviction was set aside? How will the three judges feel about their...
Concern over impact of Botswana’s appeal decision on ‘refugees’
When Botswana’s Court of Appeal delivered its recent decision on 709 people from Caprivi, living in the Dukwi refugee camp, deep in Botswana and close to the border with Zimbabwe, the judgment came as a serious blow to the hopes of the refugees. It has also raised...