Mobile courts to improve access to justice in Thyolo

The National Child Justice Forum has hailed the introduction of mobile courts known as court circuits in Thyolo, saying they will address distance challenges that people face in accessing justice.

National Child Justice Forum chairperson Justice Edward Twea said this on Thursday during a district coordination meeting on child justice at Thyolo District Magistrate’s Court.

He said court circuits are there to improve access to justice and child protection in Thyolo and other districts.

Twea, a Justice of Appeal in the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal, said people would be able to access justice within reach as opposed to the current situation wherepeople travel to district centres.

He said: “The court circuits means moving the court from the district centre to other places where the court does not sit.

“In this case, there are only two child justice magistrates in Thyolo, so we want community members that used to travel to Thyolo to access justice nearby.”

On his part, Thyolo senior court clerk David Kapoloma, who is acting committee service officer, said he was impressed with the introduction of the court circuits, saying it will help vulnerable people to access justice within  reach.

Village head Nchilamwera commended the Judiciary for the mobile court initiative, saying it improve access to justice.

Thyolo District has nine courts out of which only four are functional.

The district has two magistrates.