By Mariam Marong
For the first time, The Gambia hosted the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association’s 20th Triennial Conference on Justice, an international gathering focused on judicial innovation. The event, held under the theme “Innovation in Judicial Practice: Embracing Change for a Better Future,” drew judges, magistrates, ministers, and senior officials from across the Commonwealth.
President Adama Barrow attended the opening, alongside the President of the CMJA, Justice Lynne Leitch, and Chief Justice Hassan Abubacar Jallow of The Gambia.
Justice Leitch praised the support and dedication of the Gambian judiciary and the British High Commission in organizing the event. “About 300 delegates have attended the conference including 42 Jurisdictions and 25 Chief Justices,” she said.
She stressed the importance of judicial independence. “Promoting judiciary independence is very crucial in strengthening democracy and ensuring rule of law,” she told the gathering. She also urged courts to adopt Artificial Intelligence as a tool to support judicial work. “Well Artificial Intelligence cannot replace magistrates or judges but they can support in works in the court but in as must as we adopt to modernization, we should maintain our established value of the courts and nothing should undermine that.”
Chief Justice Jallow welcomed the CMJA’s decision to bring the conference to The Gambia. He said the Commonwealth bond of “sisterhood and brotherhood should be strengthened at all times,” adding that the organization stands for common values of human rights, rule of law, and judicial independence.
He emphasized that respect for the rule of law and good governance is vital. “Good governance and judiciary independence are the back bond of any development and with respect to rule of law,” he said. Jallow noted that law and its institutions should not remain static. “Maintaining and promoting quality justice system is fundamental and it will enhance public confidence and transparency in the works of the courts,” he added.
In his opening remarks, President Barrow described the conference as “a historic moment for The Gambia.” He said the association has set standards that reflect core values. “Promoting and respecting human, rule of law and democracy are core values that CMJA upholds,” Barrow said.
He called for transparency and judicial independence to ensure public trust in the courts. “My government is committed to constitution, rule of law and good governance in promoting and protecting fundamental human rights in the Gambia,” he said.
Barrow added that safeguarding lives and ensuring equality and justice are central to democracy. “Justice is the corner stone of peace,” he said. He pointed to his government’s focus on transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that embracing innovation and AI tools “will be very helpful in court proceedings.”
