Lawyer Thaddeus Sory has urged legal practitioners to refrain from using the media as a platform to challenge or litigate judicial decisions, stressing the importance of addressing disagreements through established legal procedures.
Mr Sory made the call during Ghana’s legal vacation, a period when the superior courts traditionally go on recess, although certain matters may still be heard.
Mr Sory cautioned lawyers against taking disputes over judicial decisions into the media instead of pursuing the remedies available within Ghana’s legal system.
His comments come against the backdrop of renewed public discussion involving lawyers, court decisions and the conduct of legal practitioners in the media.
The central issue is not whether lawyers can publicly discuss judgments. Rather, Mr Sory’s position, as reported, is that the media should not become a substitute for the formal legal processes available to parties who disagree with a court’s decision.
A lawyer who disagrees with a judicial decision may have several formal avenues available, depending on the circumstances of the case. These can include applications for review, appeals or other remedies provided by law.
That distinction is important because public criticism of a judgment and a formal legal challenge are not necessarily the same thing.
The media has an important role in reporting court proceedings and making judicial decisions accessible to the public. At the same time, legal arguments concerning whether a particular decision should be overturned or reviewed ultimately have to be determined through the appropriate legal process.
The relationship between lawyers, the judiciary and the media has previously generated debate in Ghana.
In 2021, for instance, Mr Sory, acting on behalf of the Judicial Service at the time, was reported to have urged media organisations covering the presidential election petition to avoid hateful or offensive statements about Supreme Court justices. He maintained that criticism of judges was permissible but should remain within appropriate limits.
More recently, Mr Sory has himself been involved in public discussions surrounding significant legal and constitutional issues.
In April 2026, he criticised aspects of the law establishing the Office of the Special Prosecutor, arguing that the legislation created concerns about executive influence over the institution.
These examples illustrate the broader tension between public debate over legal issues and the need to preserve professional standards when lawyers discuss ongoing cases or judicial decisions.
Ghana’s legal year traditionally includes a legal vacation during which the superior courts go on recess. The recess does not mean that the justice system completely shuts down.
Previous Judicial Service communications have described the legal vacation as running during August and September, with the new legal year following the recess.
Certain proceedings can therefore continue during the vacation, depending on the nature of the matter and the applicable court arrangements.
Mr Sory’s comments place renewed attention on the responsibilities of lawyers when discussing court proceedings in public.
The broader issue is therefore one of maintaining a balance between public access to information about the justice system and respect for the formal processes through which judicial decisions are challenged.
In summary, Thaddeus Sory has called on lawyers to rely on established legal mechanisms rather than using media platforms to challenge judicial decisions. His position adds to an ongoing national conversation about judicial accountability, professional conduct and the role of the media in Ghana’s justice system.
