Renowned legal practitioner Tsatsu Tsikata has shared rare reflections on his experience appearing before judges he once taught, describing the courtroom as a place where professional roles must always override personal history.
Speaking on Joy News PM Express, he explained that despite occasionally facing former students on the bench of the Supreme Court of Ghana, he deliberately avoids referencing past academic relationships during proceedings.
According to him, maintaining clear boundaries is essential to the integrity of the judicial process, where advocates and judges must operate strictly within their present roles.
“I recognise that they have their responsibility as judges and I have mine as an advocate,” he noted, stressing that respect for the court must remain constant regardless of past connections.
Beyond courtroom formalities, Mr. Tsikata highlighted a deeper appreciation for the quality of judicial reasoning, saying his respect for the justice system is shaped more by sound legal analysis than by case outcomes.
He referenced his experience during the 2013 election petition hearings, where some rulings did not favour his side but were nonetheless commendable for their legal reasoning and clarity.
“In some instances, even though the decisions went against us, you could respect the depth of reasoning behind them,” he reflected.
He added that such moments reinforce his confidence in the judiciary, particularly when judges demonstrate careful attention to legal principles and structured argumentation.
Mr. Tsikata also recounted a recent courtroom experience outside Accra, where an unfamiliar judge delivered a ruling he described as meticulous and well-reasoned, further strengthening his belief in the competence of the bench.
For him, the essence of justice lies not in winning or losing cases, but in the quality of reasoning applied in reaching decisions.
He concluded that such judicial craftsmanship continues to inspire respect for the courts and affirms his confidence in Ghana’s legal system.
