The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is concerned by the closure of the Zambian Courts today, 24th August 2026, and the presence of heavily armed military personnel around court premises in Lusaka.
In a statement today, LAZ President Arnold Kaluba stated that the closure has occurred in the absence 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.
Kaluba 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.
He observed that the closure of the Courts has immediate implications for access to justice, particularly for persons requiring urgent judicial intervention, including those with pending criminal proceedings, bail applications, applications for habeas corpus, and other proceedings affecting personal liberty.
Kaluba noted that Article 13(3) of the Constitution requires that a person arrested or detained upon reasonable suspicion of having committed a criminal offence and who is not released be brought without undue delay before a court.
He advanced that the timing of the closure is particularly significant in the present electoral context, as Article 103(1) of the Constitution provides for a seven-day period within which a person may petition the Constitutional Court to nullify the election of a President-elect.
Kaluba said that it is imperative that the Judiciary immediately clarify the arrangements in place to ensure that no person is prejudiced in exercising a constitutional or statutory right by reason of the closure.
He affirmed that LAZ recognises that exceptional circumstances, including genuine and immediate security concerns, may require temporary measures to protect judicial officers, Judiciary staff, litigants and members of the public.
Kaluba emphasised 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.
He further noted that Article 122 of the Constitution guarantees the autonomy of the Judiciary in the performance of its functions and provides safeguards against interference with judges, judicial officers and Judiciary staff in the exercise of judicial authority.
Kaluba added that LAZ calls upon 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.
He said that clear, timely and authoritative communication in circumstances of this nature is essential to safeguard constitutional rights and maintain public confidence in the administration of justice.
