The National Assembly has approved the Judicial Officers (Conditions of Service) Bill, 2025, a significant piece of legislation aimed at strengthening judicial independence and protecting the welfare of judges and magistrates in The Gambia.
The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology tabled the bill for its third reading on behalf of the Minister of Justice, Dawda A. Jallow.
The legislation implements the provisions of Chapter VII of the 1997 Constitution, which designates the judiciary as a coequal branch of government and requires the Judicial Service Commission to oversee the terms and conditions of service for judicial officers.
It also implements Section 120(3) of the Constitution, which states that “the judiciary shall be independent and shall be subject only to this Constitution and the law.” Lawmakers highlighted the necessity for such independence to be backed by secure service conditions, which encompass fair and safeguarded remuneration.
Furthermore, the bill puts into effect Section 142 of the Constitution, which mandates that an Act of the National Assembly must establish the salary, allowances, gratuity, and pensions for judges. The same section clearly forbids any decrease in a judge’s compensation or benefits that would be detrimental to them.
The approval of this bill is regarded as an essential move to enhance judicial integrity and guarantee that judges can perform their responsibilities without bias or influence.
