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Local Courts Act, 2011 (No. 10 of 2011).

Country/Territory
Sierra Leone
Document type
Legislation
Date
2011
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Original source
Supplement to the Sierra Leone Gazette Vol. CXLII, No. 68 of 27th October, 2011.
Long title
An Act to provide for the establishment and operation of Local Courts, the administration of justice in the provinces and for other related matters.
Subject
Agricultural & rural development, Land & soil
Keyword
Access-to-justice Court/tribunal Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Governance Offences/penalties Traditional rights/customary rights
Geographical area
Africa, Least Developed Countries, North Atlantic, Western Africa
Abstract

This Act provides with respect to constitution, administration and jurisdiction of local courts and related matters. It also provides for appeal against decisions of local courts to the District Appeal Courts or to Customary Appeals Division of High Court. There is hereby established for each Chiefdom of Sierra Leone a Local Court which shall consist of a Chairman, Vice Chairman and such other members as the Minister may determine. A Local Court shall have jurisdiction, among other things, to hear and determine all civil cases governed by customary law (defined), including cases between Paramount Chiefs or Chiefdom Councils involving a question of title to land. A Court may order the recovery of possession of land and the restitution of property. A Court may also administer the estate of deceased persons. Subject to this Act and any Rules made under it, he practice and procedure of the Court shall be governed by customary law. The Act provides for appointment of Customary Law Officers and defines their functions and defines regulation-making powers of the Rules of Court Committee and the Chief Justice for purposes of this Act.

Full text
English
Website
www.sierralii.org

References - Legislation

Repeals

Local Courts Act, 1963 (No. 20 of 1963).

Legislation | Sierra Leone | 1963

Keyword: Court/tribunal, Access-to-justice, Traditional rights/customary rights, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Amended by

Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 2014 (No. 1 of 2014).

Legislation | Sierra Leone | 2014

Keyword: Court/tribunal, Governance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX