The Judiciary has gazetted 15 Small Claims Courts across the country and established a new Court of Appeal station in Kakamega and Meru with the changes set to take effect next month.

According to the gazette notice, the move is aimed at expanding access to justice and bringing court services closer to the public.

Small Claims Courts handle civil disputes involving relatively low monetary value and are designed to resolve cases quickly and with simplified procedures.

The establishment of additional Small Claims Courts is expected to ease the backlog in magistrates’ courts while offering a faster and more affordable avenue for individuals and small businesses to settle disputes.

At the same time, the creation of  the two  Courts of Appeal station in Kakamega and Meru  will enhance the appellate court’s presence in the western region and Meru, reducing the need for litigants to travel long distances to access appellate services.

The new court of appeal at Kakamega law court and Meru court of appeal  at Nkubu law courts will begin operations next month.