Chief Justice Dr. Benjamin Bak Deng has given Kator County Court an exclusive mandate to hear and determine all pending and backlog cases involving alleged violations of Juba City Council laws and regulations.

The administrative order, issued on August 12, assigns Kator County Court in Central Equatoria State to handle accumulated cases currently before the Juba City Council, following a recommendation by Juba City Mayor Christopher Sarafino Wani Suwaka.

The mayor had requested the allocation of one or more courts to handle cases related to law enforcement, public order and enforcement of municipal laws and regulations in Juba.

Under the order, Kator County Court will have exclusive jurisdiction over the pending municipal cases until the backlog is cleared or the reasons for the dedicated assignment no longer exist.

The Chief Justice based the decision on Article 127 (1) (a) and (b) of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, as amended, and Section 29 of the Judiciary Act of 2008.

The court will operate under the direct supervision of the President of the Court of Appeal for the Greater Equatoria Circuit, who will monitor the cases and submit regular reports to the Chief Justice.

The Chief Justice has also directed the Court of Appeal president to inform him when the backlog has been cleared or when the dedicated court assignment is no longer required.

The move is intended to address the backlog of municipal cases and ensure alleged violations of city laws and regulations are handled through the appropriate judicial institutions.