EALS and EACJ Host Inaugural Bar-Bench Forum

Monday, March 10th, 2025

By Inafrika Reporter

The inaugural Bar-Bench Forum, held , in Kigali, Rwanda, marked a historic moment in the East African region’s legal landscape. The event was a collaboration between the East Africa Law Society (EALS) and the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). It brought together over 500 participants, including high-level delegates from across East Africa, such as His Lordship Nestor Kayobera, the Judge President of the EACJ, and several Justices of the Court. The forum was an opportunity for legal practitioners, judges, and regional stakeholders to engage in open discussions regarding the challenges faced by the Court and how to improve its effectiveness, accessibility, and relationship with the legal community.

A central theme of the forum was enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of the EACJ, with a focus on making the Court’s processes more user-friendly for both litigants and legal professionals. One of the primary recommendations from the forum was for the EACJ to review its rules of procedure. This would include simplifying the litigation process and introducing virtual hearings and single-judge proceedings to expedite case resolution. By expanding these options, the Court could address the increasing caseload and ensure a more timely resolution of cases that affect East Africans across the region.

Participants at the forum also stressed the importance of adhering to strict timelines for filing references, applications, responses, and submissions. Timely processing of cases is essential for ensuring that justice is not delayed and that individuals and organizations can rely on the Court to address regional legal issues promptly. In addition, the establishment of a Bar-Bench Committee, with the possibility of a sub-committee dedicated to the Court’s rules, was proposed to help streamline operations and improve collaboration between the Bar and Bench.

Another important recommendation was the creation of a dedicated Chamber or framework within the Court to expeditiously handle matters under certificate of urgency. This would help ensure that urgent cases receive immediate attention and are dealt with promptly, without being delayed by the Court’s regular processes. Such changes would help make the EACJ more responsive to the region’s immediate legal needs.

Financial support for the EACJ was also a key topic of discussion. Stakeholders called for greater funding from the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and other regional partners. Without adequate resources, the Court cannot effectively carry out its mandate or provide timely justice to citizens and businesses in the region. The forum recommended the establishment of an EACJ Sub-Registry in each Partner State to facilitate faster case handling and improve the accessibility of the Court across the region.

In terms of capacity building, the forum emphasized the importance of supporting legal practitioners and litigators by providing them with better training and resources. A specific recommendation was to embed the concept of regional legal systems into law school curricula across the region, so that future lawyers are prepared to engage with the EACJ from an early stage in their careers. The Court itself would benefit from additional resources, including research assistants for each judge to ease their workload and improve efficiency.

Further, the forum called for the review of the draft EACJ Administration of Justice Bill, which would provide the Court with the autonomy it needs to function effectively. This bill would also improve financial and administrative provisions to ensure the Court operates smoothly and with the resources necessary for its growth and sustainability.