Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is working with justice sector partners in Zambia to improve access to justice by bringing court hearings directly into correctional facilities.
Photographed (L–R): Joanne Mwaanga, Human Rights and Governance Expert, SAIPAR; Mr Justice Charles Zulu, High Court of Zambia; Aidan Fitzpatrick, Ambassador of Ireland to Zambia; Norville Connolly, IRLI Zambia Country Director; Elena Moustaka IRLI Zambia Programme Manager; and Sean McHale IRLI Director of Programmes.
Across Zambia, pressure on the justice system has contributed to long delays for detainees awaiting trial. Zambia’s correctional facilities were designed to hold around 10,500 inmates but currently house more than 26,000. Many of those detained are awaiting trial, with some spending months — or even years — on remand before their cases are heard.
Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is working with justice sector partners in Zambia to help address this challenge through the introduction of mobile courts.
Rather than relying solely on transporting detainees to court — a process that can be difficult where transport capacity is limited — mobile courts bring judicial hearings directly inside correctional facilities. Judges and magistrates hear cases on site, allowing cases to progress and helping detainees access their constitutional right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time.
For many detainees, appearing before a judge during a mobile court session represents more than a procedural step — it is the moment their case finally moves forward.
The mobile courts initiative is delivered by IRLI in partnership with the Judiciary of Zambia, the National Prosecution Authority, Legal Aid, The Correctional Service, Prisoners’ Future Foundation and UP Zambia, with support from Irish Aid, the Government of Ireland’s programme for international development.
Through initiatives such as mobile courts, IRLI is working with partners to ensure that justice is not only written in law — but accessible in practice.