By Lovemore Lubinda
LUSAKA —(MaraviPost)-The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says it is “currently engaging the country’s Chief Justice and the Attorney General concerning the closure” of Zambian courts and its implications.
In a press statement issued on August 24, 2026, LAZ expressed concern over the closure of the Zambian Courts on August 24, and “the presence of heavily armed military personnel around court premises in Lusaka, including sealing off certain court premises with tape marked ‘Crime Scene.’”
LAZ has since called on the Judiciary to ‘quickly restore accessibility to the courts and allow the filing, receipt and hearing of matters that require legal attention as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so.’
LAZ said the closure occurred “in the absence, at the time of issuing this statement, of a formal public explanation setting out the reasons for the closure, its geographical scope, its expected duration and the arrangements in place to ensure continued access to justice.”
The association stated it had “come across an unsigned memorandum dated 24th August 2026 addressed to Judiciary staff communicating the closure of the Courts.”
It added that “no further official information has, to date, been made available to legal practitioners, litigants or the public regarding the circumstances giving rise to the closure, the legal or institutional basis for the deployment of military personnel at court premises, or the arrangements for the handling of urgent and time-sensitive matters.”
LAZ said the closure “has immediate implications for access to justice, particularly for persons requiring urgent judicial intervention.”
These include “persons with pending criminal proceedings, bail applications, applications for habeas corpus, and other proceedings affecting personal liberty.”
Citing Article 13(3) of the Constitution of Zambia, LAZ said a person arrested or detained “be brought without undue delay before a court,” and that any disruption “must therefore be managed in a manner that ensures that persons do not suffer prejudice and that constitutional rights continue to receive effective judicial protection.”
The association also noted the timing. “The timing of the closure is particularly significant in the present electoral context,” LAZ said, referring to Article 103(1) of the Constitution which provides for a seven-day period to petition the Constitutional Court to nullify the election of a President-elect.
“The closure of the Courts during this constitutionally prescribed period creates a real risk that persons seeking to exercise this constitutional right may be prejudiced by uncertainty regarding access to Court registries, filing facilities and judicial officers,” the statement said.
LAZ called on the Judiciary to “urgently restore access to the Courts and resume the filing, receipt and hearing of matters as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so.”
Pending full reopening, it urged the Judiciary to “immediately establish and publicly communicate alternative arrangements for the filing and receipt of urgent and time-sensitive matters” and to give “particular priority to matters affecting personal liberty, including habeas corpus and bail applications, as well as constitutional, electoral and other proceedings subject to strict statutory or constitutional timelines.”
LAZ further called for assurance that “no person is prejudiced by the closure in respect of any applicable filing deadline,” and for “prompt” communication on the reasons for the closure, scope, duration and arrangements for access.
It also asked for “appropriate clarification regarding the legal and institutional basis for the security measures being implemented at court premises.”
The association said it recognises that “genuine and immediate security concerns” may require temporary measures, but that such measures “must be lawful, proportionate and implemented in a manner that preserves access to justice and respects the constitutional independence and autonomy of the Judiciary,” citing Article 122 of the Constitution, LAZ said the Judiciary’s autonomy is guaranteed.
“Clear, timely and authoritative communication in circumstances of this nature is essential to safeguard constitutional rights, minimise prejudice to persons requiring access to public institutions and maintain public confidence in the administration of justice,” LAZ stated.
LAZ said it “will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep its members and the nation informed of material developments.”
The statement was issued pursuant to section 4 of the Law Association of Zambia Act, Chapter 31 of the Laws of Zambia, and dated 24th August 2026.
