Editor's Review
The Judiciary has announced a technical disruption affecting its Cause List Portal, prompting the introduction of alternative arrangements to access court sessions.
The Judiciary has announced a technical disruption affecting its Cause List Portal, prompting the introduction of alternative arrangements to help advocates and other court users access court sessions.
In a statement on Monday, October 26, the Judiciary said the technical team was working to resolve the issue while alternative measures had been put in place to ensure court users could access information about their scheduled matters and participate in virtual court sessions.
"The Judiciary wishes to inform Advocates and Court Users that, while technical challenges affecting the Causelist Portal are being addressed, alternative arrangements have been put in place to facilitate access to court sessions scheduled for today," the statement read.
The Judiciary advised advocates and other court users to use their E-Filing accounts to access virtual court links and check the matters listed before various courts for the day.
"Court Users are advised to log in to their E-Filing accounts and access the Calendar feature to obtain virtual court links and view their respective matters scheduled before the various courts today," the statement added.
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As part of the contingency measures, court administrators downloaded the cause lists from the Court Tracking System (CTS) and shared them through the respective Bar-Bench and court users’ WhatsApp platforms.
"In the meantime, Court Administrators have downloaded the cause lists from the Court Tracking System (CTS) and shared them through the respective Bar-Bench and court users’ WhatsApp platforms," the statement further read.
The Judiciary also said judges and judicial officers would, where possible, display the cause lists during virtual court sessions to help advocates and other court users follow the proceedings.
"Hon. Judges and Judicial Officers will, where possible, project the cause lists during virtual court sessions to facilitate access by Advocates and other Court Users.
"The Judiciary appreciates your patience and cooperation as the technical team works to resolve the issue. We regret any inconvenience caused," the statement concluded.
This comes weeks after the High Court of Kenya and courts of equal status announced that they begin their 2026 Christmas recess on December 21, 2026.
In a Gazette Notice shared on Tuesday, October 13, High Court Principal Judge Justice Eric Ogola said the recess will end on January 13, 2027.
"The Christmas Recess of the High Court and Courts of Equal Status shall commence on the 21st December, 2026 and terminate on the 13th January, 2027, both days inclusive," the notice read.
Despite the recess, Ogola said the courts will continue handling urgent matters through designated Recess Duty Judges appointed to deal with cases arising during the period.
The Principal Judge clarified that the appointments would follow the applicable High Court Practice and Procedure Rules to ensure matters requiring judicial attention are addressed during the break.
"For avoidance of doubt, Recess Duty Judges shall be appointed to hear and try matters arising during Recess in accordance with the High Court (Practice and Procedure) Rules," the notice added.
The notice outlined how the judges responsible for appointing Recess Duty Judges would be identified across different courts and stations.
For High Court stations and divisions, the appointments will be made by the Presiding Judges at the respective stations and divisions.
In the Employment and Labour Relations Court, the Principal Judge of that court will oversee the appointments, while the Principal Judge of the Environment and Land Court will handle the same responsibility for that court.
In stations with a single judge, cases arising during the recess will be handled at the nearest High Court station where a Recess Duty Judge is sitting.
The Presiding Judge of the single-judge station will indicate the designated station on its notice board to guide members of the public seeking judicial services.
Ogola further directed that court offices and registries would remain accessible to the public during the recess, with services available on weekdays except public holidays.
"During the Recess the offices of the aforesaid Courts, including Registries, shall be open to the public from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on all weekdays other than the public Holidays," the notice further read.
