Judiciary moves to tie promotions to performance in sweeping reform drive
The proposed system, according to judicial authorities, seeks to introduce a structured mechanism for the regular assessment of judicial officers, including judges, magistrates and caddies, in what officials describe as a significant step towards building a more professional, responsive and accountable judiciary. Opening the workshop, Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow said the initiative forms part of broader institutional reforms under the judiciary’s strategic plan to improve standards, enhance public confidence and ensure greater responsibility among judicial officers. “We are here to review and validate proposals for the establishment of a mechanism for performance evaluation of judicial officers. This is part of an ongoing process to improve the regulatory environment within the judiciary,” Chief Justice Jallow said. He noted that the judiciary currently operates under Public Service Commission regulations, which he argued are not tailored to the unique needs and functions of the judiciary. To address this gap, he disclosed that consultants have already drafted Judicial Service Commission regulations that will guide the management, administration and oversight of judiciary personnel. “There has to be a system in place for the evaluation of performance to ensure accountability. Every public servant is accountable for the performance of their responsibilities,” he stated. Chief Justice Jallow added that regular performance assessments would not only improve accountability but also help identify institutional weaknesses and training needs within the justice sector. “Performance evaluation is also a useful tool in identifying strengths and weaknesses so that capacity building and training can be properly directed,” he added. In one of the clearest indications yet of a policy shift within the judiciary, the Chief Justice stressed that promotions and elevation within the courts should no longer depend largely on years of service. “At the moment, we only assess judicial officers when the need arises for elevation. What we want is a regular system of assessment that will feed into promotions and elevation. Seniority may still count, but properly evaluated performance will also be a major consideration,” he stated. Judicial Secretary Abdou Conteh also defended the proposed reforms, saying the appraisal system is intended to promote merit, discipline and productivity across the judiciary. “The criteria for promotion will solely depend on performance and not on the length of service. Therefore, all officers should pull up their socks and fasten their belts in order to climb the ladder rather than relying only on years of service,” Conteh said. He explained that the validation workshop would help fine-tune the proposals before they are submitted for formal adoption by the Judicial Service Commission. The initiative comes at a time when calls for judicial reforms and greater efficiency within the justice delivery system continue to grow, with authorities insisting that performance-based evaluation is key to strengthening public trust and improving service delivery in the courts.
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The proposed system, according to judicial authorities, seeks to introduce a structured mechanism for the regular assessment of judicial officers, including judges, magistrates and caddies, in what officials describe as a significant step towards building a more professional, responsive and accountable judiciary.
Opening the workshop, Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow said the initiative forms part of broader institutional reforms under the judiciary’s strategic plan to improve standards, enhance public confidence and ensure greater responsibility among judicial officers.
“We are here to review and validate proposals for the establishment of a mechanism for performance evaluation of judicial officers. This is part of an ongoing process to improve the regulatory environment within the judiciary,” Chief Justice Jallow said.
He noted that the judiciary currently operates under Public Service Commission regulations, which he argued are not tailored to the unique needs and functions of the judiciary.
To address this gap, he disclosed that consultants have already drafted Judicial Service Commission regulations that will guide the management, administration and oversight of judiciary personnel.
“There has to be a system in place for the evaluation of performance to ensure accountability. Every public servant is accountable for the performance of their responsibilities,” he stated.
Chief Justice Jallow added that regular performance assessments would not only improve accountability but also help identify institutional weaknesses and training needs within the justice sector.
“Performance evaluation is also a useful tool in identifying strengths and weaknesses so that capacity building and training can be properly directed,” he added.
In one of the clearest indications yet of a policy shift within the judiciary, the Chief Justice stressed that promotions and elevation within the courts should no longer depend largely on years of service.
“At the moment, we only assess judicial officers when the need arises for elevation. What we want is a regular system of assessment that will feed into promotions and elevation. Seniority may still count, but properly evaluated performance will also be a major consideration,” he stated.
Judicial Secretary Abdou Conteh also defended the proposed reforms, saying the appraisal system is intended to promote merit, discipline and productivity across the judiciary.
“The criteria for promotion will solely depend on performance and not on the length of service. Therefore, all officers should pull up their socks and fasten their belts in order to climb the ladder rather than relying only on years of service,” Conteh said.
He explained that the validation workshop would help fine-tune the proposals before they are submitted for formal adoption by the Judicial Service Commission.
The initiative comes at a time when calls for judicial reforms and greater efficiency within the justice delivery system continue to grow, with authorities insisting that performance-based evaluation is key to strengthening public trust and improving service delivery in the courts.
