About Us
The role of the Minister of Justice in The Gambia was established in 1968, combining administrative responsibilities for the judicial system with functions previously managed by the Prime Minister’s Office. The Attorney General, as head of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), doubles as the Minister of Justice, as stipulated in the 1997 Constitution. The Solicitor General serves as the administrative head and deputy to the Attorney General, overseeing the ministry’s operations in their absence.
The Attorney General serves as the principal legal adviser to the government, with a constitutional mandate to ensure the rule of law, justice delivery, and efficient legal services. The Attorney General also has audience rights in all Gambian courts, reflecting privileges similar to their counterpart in England, as established by the Law Officers Act.
The MOJ plays a pivotal role in upholding justice, facilitating access to legal services, and promoting good governance. Satellite institutions under its purview contribute to protecting human rights and ensuring a rights-based approach to justice delivery. Partner organizations, including NGOs, complement these efforts by addressing human rights and governance issues. Together, the MOJ and its affiliates uphold the rule of law and deliver indispensable legal services to The Gambia’s government and citizens.
Attorney General’s Chambers and The Ministry of Justice provides indispensable legal services in promoting and protecting rule of law, justice delivery and good governance. On the other hand, the satellite institutions also provide value added legal services to promote and protect human rights, good governance and the rights-based approach to justice delivery. The autonomous partner institutions are non-governmental organizations that are involved in human rights issues that fall under the purview of the Ministry.
The Ministry is headed by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and deputized by the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary. It currently has the following Departments
- Civil Litigation and International Law Department;
- Criminal Prosecutions Department;
- Curator of Intestate Estate Department;
- Legislative Drafting Department;
- Registrar General’s Department; and
- Single Window Business Registration Department.
A credible and model justice system characterized by a decentralized, speedy and accessible justice delivery service that is responsive and accountable to the needs of the Government, partners and the general public; efficient, effective and consistent with the ideals of democracy, good governance and the rule of law; contributing towards sustainable socio-economic growth and development.
To strengthen good governance and equitable justice as a foundation of solid democracy in The Gambia through a cadre of highly trained, versatile and motivated staff that provide responsive legal services supported by adequate resources and strategic partnerships and alliances, with total commitment to the rule of law and respect for peoples’ and human rights.