Court organization in Sierra Leone
The court system in Sierra Leone consists of the higher courts, the ie Supreme Court and at the same Constitutional Court to the Court of Appeal ( Court of Appeals ) and the High Court of Justice (Supreme Civil and Criminal Court) and the subordinate courts.
The courts are independent under the Sierra Leone Constitution . The Chief Justice is in charge of the court system .
Judges are convened by the President of the Republic , on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission , and must be approved by the Parliament of Sierra Leone .
Superior courts
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has the function of the Supreme Court and is also a constitutional court . It consists of the Chief Justice and at least four other judges . In addition, judges from other higher-level courts, including from countries with a similar legal system, can be convened. A quorum of three judges must be reached for every decision.
As the highest court of appeal, the Supreme Court meets as the Court of Appeals. It then consists of the Chief Justice and at least seven other judges. Important decisions must be made by at least three judges, simple decisions by one judge. The court of appeal is bound by its previous decisions, and all subordinate courts are bound by the decisions of the court of appeal.
High court
The High Court consists of the Chief Justice and at least nine other judges. Additional judges can be appointed from the higher courts for a limited period of time. Judgments are made by a judge with a jury . The High Court is superior to all subordinate courts.
Lower courts
The Inferior Courts are the lowest level of law in Sierra Leone. According to the Local Courts Act from 2011 and the Courts Act from 1965, they are divided into:
- Magistrate: A magistrate court is located in each of the (four) legal districts in the country, it can only have civil or criminal cases in his district and all cases the judge be assigned to it by the High Court.
- Coroner's Court: Courts without judicial power consisting of a magistrate and a jury consisting of seven people. The only task is to analyze whether there has been an offense. If the decision is positive, the case will be referred to the Magistrate Court or the High Court.
- District Appeals Court: Local district appeal court on common law issues ; consisting of a magistrate as chairman and two legal advisors.
- Local Court: Lowest courts for local decisions. Have no judicial power over decisions that involve the state or a company.
Web links
- Sierra Leone Legal System and Legal Research (English)
- Judicary , Ministry of Information (English)