Questions and Answers
Which courts are included in the Superior Courts of Judicature?
What is the minimum number of Justices required for the Supreme Court to conduct its work?
Who is responsible for presiding over the sittings of the Supreme Court?
What qualifications are required for someone to be appointed as a Supreme Court Judge?
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In the absence of the Chief Justice, who presides over the Supreme Court?
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Which article of the 1992 Constitution outlines the structure of the judiciary?
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What is the highest court in the land?
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What condition must a lawyer meet to qualify for appointment as a Supreme Court Judge?
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What is the minimum number of Justices required for the Court of Appeal to be duly constituted?
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How many Justices must the High Court consist of at minimum?
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Who presides over the Court of Appeal?
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What is the requirement for a lawyer to be appointed as a Court of Appeal Judge?
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What type of cases does the Court of Appeal have jurisdiction to hear?
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In the High Court, how is the court constituted for the trial of high treason or treason?
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What is the maximum number of Justices in the Court of Appeal, excluding the Chief Justice, that can be appointed?
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What authority does a single Judge of the Court of Appeal have?
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Which law is specifically mentioned as subject to the Regional Tribunal's jurisdiction?
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What qualifies an individual to be appointed as a Circuit Court Judge?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the lower courts established by the Courts Act, 1993?
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What role does the Chief Justice have concerning Circuit Courts?
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What type of jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have over matters relating to high treason or treason?
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What type of offences does the Regional Tribunal primarily try?
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What legal instruments can the Supreme Court issue under its supervisory jurisdiction?
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Which authority can nominate a Justice to sit as a Circuit Court Judge?
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Which of the following is NOT a way the Supreme Court exercises its special jurisdiction?
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What is the primary function of the Court of Appeal?
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Who chairs the committee that investigates the removal of the President?
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What requirement must be met to appeal decisions from the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs?
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What does Article 132 grant the Supreme Court in relation to its supervisory jurisdiction?
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In what scenario might the Supreme Court refuse to produce certain official documents?
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What is the maximum monetary value for matters heard by the District Court?
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Which of the following individuals can sit as a Magistrate?
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What type of jurisdiction does the District Court have in civil matters?
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What is the maximum penalty for offenses heard by the District Court in criminal cases?
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Who designates a District Court as a Juvenile Court?
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How is a Juvenile Court composed?
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Study Notes
Introduction to the Judiciary
- Justice is derived from the people, administered by an independent Judiciary as per the 1992 Constitution.
- Article 125 emphasizes Judiciary's exclusivity to the Constitution, while Article 126 outlines its structure.
Superior Courts of Judicature
- Comprised of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, and Regional Tribunals.
- Established and governed by the provisions of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court
- Highest court in the jurisdiction; details outlined in Articles 128-135 of the 1992 Constitution and the Courts Act, 1993.
- Composition: Chief Justice and a minimum of nine Justices. At least five Judges are needed for court sessions, and seven for reviewing decisions.
- Qualifications for Justices include a minimum of fifteen years of legal experience and proven integrity.
- Exclusive appellate jurisdiction on high treason issues from the High Court and appellate reviews from the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs.
- Supervisory jurisdiction allows it to issue orders to enforce compliance from lower courts, including habeas corpus and certiorari.
- Special jurisdiction includes document confidentiality related to state security and challenges to presidential election validity.
The Court of Appeal
- The second highest court focused solely on appellate jurisdiction detailed in Articles 136-138 and sections 10-13 of Act 459.
- Made up of the Chief Justice and at least ten Justices; requires three Justices to form a sitting.
- Judges must have a minimum of twelve years of legal practice.
- Jurisdiction limited to hearing appeals from the High Court and Regional Tribunals.
The High Court
- Details laid out in Articles 139-141 and sections 14-22 of Act 459.
- Composed of the Chief Justice and no fewer than 20 Justices; multiple Justices may sit for specific hearings.
- Handles serious economic crime cases via Regional Tribunals, targeting laws relating to customs, income tax, drug-related offenses, and state fund fraud.
Lower Courts
- Established by Act 459, includes Circuit Courts, District Courts, and Juvenile Courts.
- Traditional councils adjudicate chieftaincy matters.
Circuit Court
- Number and jurisdiction determined by the Chief Justice; composed of a single Judge.
- Judges must have at least five years of legal experience and high moral integrity.
District Court
- Has authority to handle most cases a Circuit Court can, except monetary values must be under GH5,000.
- Sole jurisdiction over juvenile matters (under 18 years of age).
- Criminal jurisdiction for offenses punishable by less than two years imprisonment or fines not exceeding 500 penalty units.
Juvenile Courts
- Designated by the Chief Justice as part of District Courts.
- Comprises a Magistrate and two additional members, including a social welfare officer and a community member aged 25 or over.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental aspects of the judiciary as established in the 1992 Constitution. It covers the structure and function of superior courts, including the Supreme Court and its requirements for Justices. Test your knowledge on the judicial independence and organizational details mandated by the Constitution.
