FINANCIAL DISTRESS AMONG THE BENCH AND INFLUENCE ON JUSTICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA: PERCEPTION OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

This study examined the influence of financial distress among the bench on justice delivery in Nigeria, as perceived by legal practitioners in Anambra State, Nigeria. The participants included in this research were 122 legal practitioners, selected purposively. The study utilized the Financial Distress and Justice Delivery Questionnaire to measure the variables of interest. The study employed a Repeated Measures design, and two hypotheses were tested using Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (rANOVA). The findings indicated that the financial distress with its dimensions (perceived hardship, living cost, lifestyle, employment situation & coping systems) experienced by members of the bench significantly influences justice delivery in Nigeria (p > 0.001, F = 4.99, N = 122, df = 1: 3.56), with lifestyle dimension of the financial distress as the most influential factor affecting justice delivery. Additionally, the study found that the financial distress experienced by members of the bench significantly varies in terms of its influence on justice delivery in Nigeria. Based on these results, it is recommended that it is pertinent to implement policy reforms that improves the financial well-being of members of the bench. This involves reviewing salary structures, benefits, or financial support systems for judges to alleviate financial distress.