Office of The Registrar

The Office of the Registrar Court of Appeal is established under Section 20 of the Court of Appeal (Organization and Administration) Act. The Registrar oversees the administration of all Court of Appeal stations, Divisions and Sub-registries established under Section 19 of the Act. The office manages registries, establishes registry procedures, maintains court records, and monitors registries procedures to ensure efficiency and high-quality service. Additionally, the Registrar is responsible for preparing reports and proposals, planning and organizing staff development, and overseeing the court’s budgeting process. In the administration, management and implementation of Court of Appeal activities, the Registrar is supported by Deputy Registrars and Judicial staff.

Hon. Mr Moses K. Serem

Hon. Moses Kosgei Serem was appointed as the first substantive Registrar of the Court of Appeal of Kenya in 2012 , a senior administrative and judicial officer responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the Court of Appeal registry. He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over 25 years of experience.

Hon. Serem joined the Judiciary in 2001 as a Resident Magistrate and served in several judicial and administrative capacities over the years. Before his current role, he rose through the ranks to become Senior Principal Magistrate and served in stations including Kitale, Muhoroni, and Kehancha law courts. Later, he moved to the High Court registry in Nyeri as Deputy Registrar and later as a Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal

Function of the Registrar

The Registrar shall perform such duties as the Chief Registrar or the President of the Court may direct, and in particular be responsible for —

1. the day-to-day administration of the Court;
2. the management of the Registry of the Court and ensuring the management of the sub-registries of the stations of the Court;
3. the acceptance, transmission, service and custody of documents in accordance with the Rules;
4. preparation of the cause list;
5. facilitating the enforcement of the decisions of the Court;
6. certifying that any order, direction or decision is an order, direction or decision of the Court, the President of the Court or of a judge, as the case may be;
7. the maintenance of the registers of the Court;
8. causing to be kept records of the proceedings and minutes of the meetings of the Court and such other records as the Court may direct;
9. managing and supervising the staff of the Court;
10. managing the library of the Court;
11. facilitating access to judgments and records of the Court;
12. undertaking maintenance of the equipment of the Court;
13. in liaison with the relevant agencies, ensuring adequate security within the Court premises;
14. undertaking taxation of bills of costs; and
15. undertaking any other duties assigned by the President of the Court or by the Chief Registrar.

In relation to the proceedings before the Court, the Registrar may consider and dispose of procedural or administrative matters in accordance with the Rules or on the direction of the President of the Court

The Office of the Registrar performs its mandate through a shared leadership approach, in line with the Judiciary Blueprint for Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ). This approach is operationalised through structured committees comprising Hon. Deputy Registrars and staff of the Court registries.

The established committees are:

- Performance Measurement and Management Unit
- Library and Research Committee
- Court Integrity Committee
- ICT, E-Registry and Data Cleansing Committee
- Website, Newsletter and Booklet Committee

The achievements include among other:

1. Automation and Digital Transformation: The Registrar has successfully implemented electronic filing (e-filing) and digital, virtual, or hybrid court proceedings, which have improved the speed of filing, retrieval of documents, and service of hearing notices.
2. Reduction of Case Backlog:Through enhanced performance management, the Registrar has overseen a decrease in case backlog and waiting periods for appeals and applications, contributing to a higher case clearance rate.
3. Standardization of Procedures: The Registrar led the development of the Court of Appeal Registry Manual and Practice Directions (2022 Rules), which standardized registry operations, harmonized customer experience across all stations (Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Nyeri, and Malindi), and reduced reliance on manual, paper-based, or error-prone processes.
4. Improved Transparency and Integrity: The introduction of electronic systems has enhanced the security and integrity of court files and increased transparency in court operations.
5. Enhanced Access to Justice: The registry has improved access to justice by facilitating virtual court sessions, which allow for cheaper, faster, and more accessible court services, particularly for those in remote areas.
6. Record Management Improvements: The Registrar has facilitated improved record management, including better archiving and access to judgments, which aids in legal research and speedy proceedings.
7. Support for Alternative Justice Systems (AJS):The Registrar has supported the incorporation of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to reduce the pressure of litigation on the court The Establishment of a Mediation Registry in Nairobi to serve the Court .