Probono day: Chief Justice Okays adjournment of Friday's cases

COURT|PROBONO DAY|JUSTICE 

KAMPALA - The Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has permitted courts of judicature across the country to adjourn cases on Friday as advocates mark Probono Day. 

Owiny-Dollo's directives are contained in a circular issued by the Chief Registrar of Courts of judicature Sarah Langa on Thursday (December 3, 2020). 

"The Chief Justice has granted permission for courts across the country to officially adjourn all matters where advocates are involved for that day in order for the advocates to participate in the event," the circular reads in part. 

Langa also noted that the Chief Justice has also granted permission for the Uganda Law Society (ULS) to set up desks at Mengo Chief Magistrate's Court and various High Court circuits of Jinja, Soroti, Gulu, Arua, Masindi, Kabale, Mbarara, Fort Portal and Masaka to offer free legal aid to the disadvantaged people. 

This year, the day will be marked under the theme "The Transformative Potential of Pro Bono Work: Creating a Climate for Change" 

The word probono which is short for the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means "for the public good" generally refers to services that are rendered by a professional for free or at a lower cost.  

On this day, lawyers provide free legal services to those in need on a probono basis. 

ULS president Phiona Wall Nabasa says the day will be celebrated in strict compliance with the COVID-19 standard operating procedures initiated by the Ministry of Health to mitigate the spread of the global deadly pandemic. 

"Due to COVID-19, the day will not be marked in one center but in selected courts across the country," said Nabasa.