MILITARY JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, AND COURT REGISTRARS CONVENE TO REVIEW AND HARMONIZE WORKING CONDITIONS

Kigali, 23 April 2024

Today, judges, prosecutors, investigators, and court registrars from military courts met for a two-day workshop focused on enhancing the quality of services and fostering cooperation within the realm of military justice. The workshop was held in Kigali.

During the workshop, Francois Regis RUKUNDAKUVUGA, the President of the Court of Appeal, commended the collaborative efforts between military and civil courts to uphold principles of fairness in the dispensation of justice. He provided insights into the common law system, particularly emphasizing the precedent rule, whereby judges draw upon past decisions to inform current cases with similar circumstances. He urged participants to embrace this system as a means to enhance the quality of justice, promote consistency, and preserve legal continuity.

Brig Gen John BAGABO, President of the Military High Court, reiterated the Rwanda Defence Force's unwavering commitment to advancing the quality of justice. He called upon all attendees to familiarize themselves further with the common law system, emphasizing the importance of harmonized decision-making processes to ensure equitable dispensation of justice.

For many years, Rwanda has predominantly utilized the Civil law system, wherein judges possess the autonomy to interpret cases and render decisions, with precedence from previous cases considered as secondary sources. However, recognizing the need for consistency and harmonization within the judiciary, Rwanda has adopted a mixed justice system, amalgamating elements of both civil and common law systems. This strategic approach aims to foster coherence and uniformity in court decisions, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the legal framework.