Judiciary warns on offensive dressing in new court rules
By Peterson Hiirya
The Judiciary has directed litigants and other court users to dress appropriately while appearing in court, under new rules contained in the Judiciary Client Charter 2024–2029 aimed at improving discipline, efficiency, and the administration of justice.
Under the charter, court users are prohibited from wearing outfits carrying offensive writings, drawings, or signs while on court premises.
“Dress decently in court and its premises and not wear outfits with offensive writings, drawings, or signs,” the charter states in part.
The new guidelines also prohibit idling and vending within court premises. Litigants are required to switch off or silence mobile phones and electronic devices during proceedings and are barred from eating in court unless permitted by the presiding judicial officer.
Court users are further expected to file appropriate documents, respect court judgments and orders, report on time for hearings, maintain orderliness within court premises, and comply with court procedures and instructions.
The charter also requires litigants to pay prescribed court fees and safely keep receipts, provide truthful information to the court, avoid carrying deadly weapons, and respect judicial officers, court staff, and fellow court users.
The Judiciary additionally warned against corruption, offensive language, obscene gestures, and disruptive conduct such as shouting, chanting, or singing within court premises.
Court users have also been encouraged to report unprofessional conduct by judicial staff and provide feedback on Judiciary services.
At the same time, the charter outlines the rights of litigants and court users, including access to information upon application, a fair and speedy public hearing, certified copies of court documents at prescribed fees, and access to judgments and rulings, including electronic copies.
Court users are also entitled to lodge complaints and receive timely responses, as well as know the identity of judicial officers and staff serving them.
The charter further spells out obligations expected of the Judiciary in delivering services to the public.
Among the commitments is observance of official working hours from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm, with a lunch break from 12:45pm to 2pm, although staff may work beyond those hours when necessary.
The Judiciary also pledged to provide a safe and accessible environment, uphold integrity, preserve court records and exhibits, and ensure courteous treatment of court users.
According to the charter, judgments should generally be delivered within 60 days after the close of hearings, while the Supreme Court is expected to issue decisions within 90 days.
The Judiciary also committed to responding to correspondence within 14 working days and handling complaints within the same period, or within 30 working days where investigations are required.
Bail rulings are expected within 30 days, while refunds of bail money should be processed within 21 working days after submission of all required documents.
The charter also sets timelines for administrative services, including enrollment of advocates within 14 working days after submission by the Law Council, renewal of practising licences within seven working days, and processing of court bailiffs’ licences within the same period.
The Judiciary further highlighted official court vacation periods during which only criminal and urgent civil matters will be handled. These include December 23 to January 7 for all courts, August 1 to 31 for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and July 15 to August 15 for the High Court and Magistrates Courts.
