Local Courts Act, 1963 (No. 20 of 1963). Country/Territory Sierra Leone Document type Legislation Date 1963 Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Act to Consolidate and Amend the Law relating to the Local Courts, to Provide for the Extension of their Jurisdiction and for the Hearing of Appeals from such Courts and to make Certain Incidental and Consequential Provisions for the Administration of Justice in the Provinces. Subject Land & soil Keyword Court/tribunal Access-to-justice Traditional rights/customary rights Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Offences/penalties Geographical area Africa, Least Developed Countries, North Atlantic, Western Africa Abstract This Act provides with respect to local courts. The existing Native Courts and Group Native Appeal Courts are re-designated Local Courts and Group Local Appeal Courts and the term "Local" is substituted for the term "Native" in every designation of any such courts in any existing enactment. A Local Court or Group Local Appeal Court shall hold sessions at such times and places as the Tribal Authorities of the Chiefdom or Chiefdoms consider necessary for the convenient and speedy despatch of the business of the Court: Provided that the Minister or any person or body authorized by him or her may direct sessions to be held at such times and places as (s)he or it shall think fit. The Local Courts shall have jurisdiction: (a) to administer the estates of deceased persons, so far as they are situated within the jurisdiction of the Courts and the administration of which is governed by customary law; (b) to hear and determine: (i) all civil cases governed by customary law other than cases between Paramount Chiefs or Tribal Authorities involving a question of title to land; (ii) all civil cases governed by the general law where the claim, debt, duty or matter in dispute does not exceed 200 pounds in value, whether on balance of account or otherwise, or in claims for recovery of possession where the annual rental value of the property does not exceed 25 pounds and the term of the lease does not exceed five years. Subject to the provisions of this Act and any Rules made under it, the procedure and practice of Local Courts shall be governed by customary law. Appeals from local courts shall be made to District Appeal Courts to be constituted in accordance with this Act or to a Group Local Appeal Court. Full text English Website www.sierralii.org References - Legislation Amended by Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 1975 (No. 7 of 1975). Legislation | Sierra Leone | 1975 Keyword: Agricultural development, Institution, Court/tribunal Source: FAO, FAOLEX Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 1965 (No. 29 of 1965). Legislation | Sierra Leone | 1965 Keyword: Agricultural development, Institution, Court/tribunal, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Access-to-justice Source: FAO, FAOLEX Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 1974 (No. 19 of 1974). Legislation | Sierra Leone | 1974 Keyword: Agricultural development, Institution, Court/tribunal Source: FAO, FAOLEX Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 1966 (No. 28 of 1966). Legislation | Sierra Leone | 1966 Keyword: Court/tribunal, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Source: FAO, FAOLEX Repealed by Local Courts Act, 2011 (No. 10 of 2011). Legislation | Sierra Leone | 2011 Keyword: Access-to-justice, Court/tribunal, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Governance, Offences/penalties, Traditional rights/customary rights Source: FAO, FAOLEX