The Judiciary of The Gambia marked the opening of the 2025 Legal Year on February 9, emphasizing the need to adequately resource the judiciary for a more efficient legal landscape. The event highlighted the importance of judicial independence, the need to address challenges such as case backlogs and inadequate resources, and the importance of attracting and retaining quality legal professionals. The celebration also served as a call to action to ensure a fair and effective judicial system, seen as a cornerstone of a just society.

President Adama Barrow's recent executive order, which excludes the Gambian judiciary from a 30% salary increase for civil servants, has raised concerns about the government's commitment to a functional and impartial justice system. Critics argue that the order, which also emphasizes centralized control over the judiciary's budget, undermines the judiciary's independence and effectiveness. The order has been criticized for failing to address systemic issues such as court security, inadequate working conditions, and timely disbursement of allocated budgets.