The Judiciary of South Sudan has announced the restoration of a full eight-hour workday for all staff.
The decision marks a departure from the previous practice where court operations often closed by 1 p.m., which made it hard for people to access the courts in the afternoons.
In a circular signed by Deng Akol Deng, the Director General of Finance, the decision is meant to enhance service delivery and end chronic early closures, particularly at the Mudiria Law Courts in Juba.
According to the new circular, official working days are Monday to Friday, with weekends off. Administrative staff, including directors and clerks, will work from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff like drivers and cleaners will start at 7:30 a.m. and also finish at 4:00 p.m.
There will be a one-hour lunch break from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Employees must arrive on time, and repeated lateness or early leave could lead to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal.
“Every Head of a Unit in the Judiciary of South Sudan must inform their employees to follow this new schedule,” the circular states. “Compliance will also affect decisions about overtime for some staff.”
This directive is one of the first major reforms following a leadership overhaul in the judiciary by President Salva Kiir.
The shake-up saw the replacement of former Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut and his deputy, John Gatwech, who were blamed for systemic problems, including corruption and long delays in cases.
The newly appointed Chief Justice, Benjamin Bak Deng, and his Deputy, Ladu Nyombe, have promised to improve the judiciary and rebuild public trust by ensuring that court staff are disciplined and productive.
Restoring official working hours is seen as an important step in reforming the judiciary, which has faced criticism for being inefficient and hard to access.
