Blogs

Property Rights and Constitutional Safeguards in Sierra Leone:  The Legal Implications of Pratt v. Senessie  

Introduction This article explores whether Theophilus Pratt & Another (hereinafter referred to as plaintiffs) v. Dr. Turad Senessie & Others (hereinafter referred to as defendants) (2024) SC. Misc. AppNo.7/2024 (unreported) is primarily about ownership rights (title declaration) or about constitutional protection of property rights (fundamental rights under Section 21 of the 1991 Constitution). It examines […]

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Extradition Between Sierra Leone and the Netherlands Under the Extradition Act of 1974

Introduction Extradition is a formal process by which one country requests and obtains the surrender of a suspected or convicted criminal from another country. It is a critical tool in international law enforcement, enabling states to cooperate in combating transnational crime. The extradition relationship between Sierra Leone and the Netherlands is governed by the Extradition

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REFORMING THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES ACT IN SIERRA LEONE

INTRODUCTION The legal framework governing the dissolution and annulment of marriages in Sierra Leone remains largely untouched since the enactment of the Matrimonial Causes Act in 1960. This statute, along with its associated Matrimonial Causes Rules (Chapters 102 and 7 of the Laws of Sierra Leone), continues to dictate the legal pathways for Christian and

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A Rebuttal of an ILRAJ article entitled: “TheChild Marriage Conundrum – Why Ban What Has Already Been Banned?

By Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden OOR This piece is a rebuttal to afore-cited publication of April 20th 2024 by Basita Michael Esq. (Mrs.) and the well-respected Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ). In their publication, they attempt to lampoon the distinguished First Lady of Sierra Leone for what they erroneously termed as

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Beyond Quick Fixes: Time to Address Root Causes of Prison Overcrowding

The recent launch of a four-day Prison Court exercise by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, aimed at fast-tracking stalled cases within our criminal justice system, is a commendable effort. Acting Chief Justice, Hon. Justice N. C. Browne-Marke, has assigned eight judges (all men) to ten different locations across the country to review cases of inmates

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The Employment Act, 2023: A Step Forward for Workers or a Crushing Business Liability?

By GIBRIL K. THOLLEY, ESQ  The new Employment Act, 2023, which came into effect in May 2023, has far-reaching implications for businesses across Sierra Leone. The severity of those implications may be so great as to force some businesses to close. What was the legislator’s intention? Let’s explore the Act in this article. We must,

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Ensuring Constitutional Compliance: A Proclamation Must Follow National Address for State of Emergency To Take Effect

In his national address yesterday, President Julius Maada Bio declared a National Emergency on Drug and Substance Abuse, signalling the gravity of the situation and the government’s commitment to tackling this very pressing issue. However, while the declaration highlights the urgency of the matter, it’s imperative to ensure that such measures are undertaken in strict

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