Lusaka | January 13, 2026 \u2013 In a ceremony that decisively set the judicial agenda for the year, the High Court of Zambia officially opened its 2026 Criminal Sessions yesterday, placing historic emphasis on transforming criminal litigation through structured Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Held under the theme \u201cConsolidating the Call for Proper Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution Through Plea Bargaining,\u201d the event brought together top judges, the Justice Minister, and legal stakeholders. The message was unmistakable: 2026 will be the year Zambia\u2019s criminal justice system embraces modern tools to ensure no one remains trapped in the shadows of delay.
Setting a tone of reflective candour, Deputy Chief Justice Michael Musonda, SC, did not mince words. He highlighted a critical gap that has persisted for over 60 years: the lack of national sentencing guidelines.
\u201cWe are way, way behind. Much smaller jurisdictions around us have rolled out sentencing guidelines. This is a terrible indictment on our system,\u201d he said.
Justice Musonda framed the push for ADR and plea bargaining as a practical solution, a way to enhance efficiency and finally deliver on the judiciary\u2019s mandate for timely, fair justice.
Echoing this judicial urgency, January Criminal Session Judge Geoffrey Mulenga highlighted that the reform drive is championed from the top. He noted that Chief Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, SC, is \u201can ardent subscriber\u201d to applying ADR within the criminal justice process.
As Guest of Honour, Justice Minister Princess Kasune, MP, highlighted the government\u2019s commitment to justice sector reforms. She reaffirmed the partnership between the Executive and Judiciary, focusing on initiatives to improve access to justice, reduce case backlogs, and safeguard citizens\u2019 constitutional rights.
Minister Kasune stressed that plea bargaining, while transformative, must be carefully regulated.
\u201cPlea bargaining requires clear procedures, predictable outcomes, and strong safeguards to prevent any abuse,\u201d she said.
Responding to judges\u2019 concerns, she confirmed that the Ministry of Justice has incorporated judicial feedback into its review of the Criminal Procedure Code. The upcoming Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill will empower the Chief Justice to issue official Sentencing Guidelines, a step welcomed as a symbol of a \u201cmature justice system\u201d that provides clarity without undermining judicial independence.
For the public, this unified approach signals tangible change on the horizon. The focus on ADR and plea bargaining, reinforced by new sentencing guidelines, is expected to:
\u2022 Reduce Waiting Times: Resolve suitable cases more swiftly, freeing up court resources.
\u2022 Increase Predictability: Create clearer, fairer expectations for case outcomes.
\u2022 Enhance Fairness: Ensure justice is delivered without oppressive delays, protecting the rights of both victims and the accused.
Justice Anne Malara-Ononuju of the Economic and Financial Crimes Division delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging government support and the judiciary\u2019s commitment to reform.
For the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), the theme resonates directly with our mandate to prosecute cases effectively, fairly, and efficiently. Structured plea bargaining, underpinned by clear sentencing guidelines, will allow prosecutors to focus resources on complex cases while ensuring suitable matters are resolved quickly and transparently.
Yesterday\u2019s opening was more than ceremonial, it was a launchpad. The tone for justice in 2026 is collaborative, reform-minded, and firmly focused on leveraging Alternative Dispute Resolution to deliver on the constitutional promise of justice for all Zambians.
The NPA welcomes this decisive direction. With strengthened frameworks, enhanced oversight, and innovative tools like ADR, prosecutors are better equipped than ever to ensure that justice is swift, fair, and accessible, aligning perfectly with the Authority\u2019s mission to uphold the rule of law and serve the public interest.
The message is clear: 2026 will be a year of innovation, collaboration, and relentless focus on making justice work for every Zambian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lusaka | January 13, 2026 \u2013 In a ceremony that decisively set the judicial agenda for the year, the High Court of Zambia officially opened its 2026 Criminal Sessions yesterday, placing historic emphasis on transforming criminal litigation through structured Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).Held under the theme \u201cConsolidating the Call for Proper Use of Alternative Dispute […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5590,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-5589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n