Damage already done, LAZ demands answers as courts reopen after 3-day closure

24 Views The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has welcomed the reopening of courts but is demanding clear answers from the Judiciary over a three-day shutdown that disrupted access to justice nationwide. Courts and registries across the country resumed operations on Thursday, 27 August 2026, following their closure on Monday, 24 August. In a statement […]

24 Views

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has welcomed the reopening of courts but is demanding clear answers from the Judiciary over a three-day shutdown that disrupted access to justice nationwide.

Courts and registries across the country resumed operations on Thursday, 27 August 2026, following their closure on Monday, 24 August.

In a statement delivered by LAZ President Arnold Kaluba, the Association said while the resumption of services was necessary, it did not resolve the serious concerns raised by the interruption.

He said the lawyers body engaged the Judiciary to seek clarity on the reasons for the closure, its scope, duration, and what arrangements were made for urgent matters.

“Regrettably, we have not received the meaningful and comprehensive explanation that the circumstances required,” Kaluba stated.

The Association noted a State House statement indicating the Executive did not order the closure, adding that it had “no reason to doubt that assertion.”

He warned that the shutdown had wide-ranging consequences. It cited accused persons who may have needed bail, survivors of gender-based violence seeking protection orders, litigants requiring urgent injunctions, and businesses whose property or contractual rights needed immediate protection.

Kaluba also flagged the risk to people facing statutory and constitutional filing deadlines.

“No person should lose a right, remedy or opportunity to be heard because the institution through which that right had to be exercised was inaccessible,” said the LAZ boss in a statement.

He said LAZ is now calling on the Judiciary to urgently issue directions on how affected filings and deadlines will be handled, and to ensure no litigant or legal practitioner is unfairly prejudiced.

Under the heading “Security cannot mean the suspension of access to justice,” LAZ acknowledged that security concerns may sometimes require restrictions. However, it stressed that such measures must be proportionate and should not cut off all access to courts.

“If circumstances require the physical closure of court premises, there must be alternative arrangements for urgent matters and essential filings,” he said.

The Association is urging the Judiciary to develop formal contingency arrangements for future disruptions, including mechanisms for urgent applications and alternative filing options.

In conclusion, Kaluba said his organization stands ready to work with the Judiciary and stakeholders to address the issues “in the public interest.”

“We do so not as an adversary of the Judiciary, but as a stakeholder in the administration of justice,” Kaluba said.

The statement was issued pursuant to Section 4 of the Law Association of Zambia Act, Chapter 31 of the Laws of Zambia.