High Court Issues Directives Ahead of Christmas Break, Names Dates Courts Will Recess

The High Court has announced a 24-day Christmas recess scheduled to begin on December 21, 2026, and end on January 13, 2027, outlining special arrangements to ensure urgent cases continue to receive attention during the holiday period.

Principal Judge Eric Ogola announced the dates through an official gazette notice, confirming that the break will affect the High Court, Employment and Labour Relations Court, and Environment and Land Court.

According to the notice, both December 21 and January 13 will be included in the recess period.

The Judiciary has also directed presiding judges at various High Court stations and divisions to appoint duty judges who will handle urgent matters arising during the break. Similar arrangements will be made for the Employment and Labour Relations Court and the Environment and Land Court by their respective principal judges.

The notice stated that the designated judges would hear and determine cases requiring attention during the recess in accordance with the High Court (Practice and Procedure) Rules.

At court stations served by only one judge, matters arising during the holiday period will be referred to the nearest High Court station with an appointed recess duty judge. Presiding judges have been instructed to display notices identifying the stations where members of the public can seek assistance.

Despite the judicial break, court registries and offices will remain open on weekdays, except public holidays. Members of the public will continue accessing registry services between 8am and 5pm throughout the recess.

The arrangements are intended to ensure that essential court services remain accessible even as regular court operations take a seasonal break.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and subordinate courts had not announced their Christmas recess dates as of October 10, 2026.

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