a case Number of recorded cases Number of cases dispensed Number of cases referred to ADR Number of cases resolved under ADR 109,743 143,340 3754 n.a 90,366 98,512 4,127 2,186 Source: Judicial Service, 2012 Again, despite the improvements in the capacity of the judiciary and the Justice-for-All programme, the number of cases recorded in the courts in 2010 decreased from 109,743 to 90,366 cases in 2011. The number of cases dispensed also decreased from 143,340 cases in 2010 to 98,512 cases in 2011. 2.11.5 Legal Aid Scheme This facility is operational only in urban areas where lawyers are mainly found. 2.11.6 Criminal Justice System A concept paper had been developed for the establishment of the Ghana Prosecution Service as part of the reform of the criminal justice system. Violation of the rights of accused persons Security forces continued to infringe on the rights of accused persons. They indicated that sometimes accused persons were arraigned before courts only to be told their dockets were not ready. Meanwhile the accused was kept in police custody. 2.11.8 Establishment of Specialised Courts a. Gender Courts The Chief Justice has selected some Circuit Courts in Accra and Kumasi to handle gender issues. b. Electoral Court The practice has been to designate selected High Courts throughout the country to handle electoral related disputes. The Chief Justice directs all such courts to sit on these cases on a day to day basis and even weekends and possibly public holidays to ensure expeditious trial. Sixth Annual APRM Progress Report: January – December 2011 26

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