Public Lands Ordinance (Cap. 116). Country/Territory Sierra Leone Document type Legislation Date 1898 (1959) Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Ordinance to repeal The Public Lands Ordinance, 1896, and to make other provision in lieu thereof. Subject Land & soil Keyword Expropriation Public land Abandoned land/unoccupied land Private land Procedural matters Dispute settlement Liability/compensation Cadastre/land registration Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Geographical area Africa, Least Developed Countries, North Atlantic, Western Africa Abstract This Ordinance makes provision with respect to the compulsory acquisition of lands for public purposes and compensation for such acquisition to the landowner. It sets out the procedure for such acquisition and subsequent registration of land. The Governor may be required to purchase the rest of a piece of land if only a part was acquired and the rest is rendered useless to the owner. It shall be lawful for the Minister to resell any land purchased under this rule. The Ordinance also makes provision for resolution of disputed regarding compensation, etc. Compensation shall not be awarded to any party in respect of unoccupied land. Any land shall be deemed to be unoccupied where it is proved that beneficial use thereof for cultivation or inhabitation, or for collecting or storing water, or for any industrial purposes, has not been made for twelve years next prior the date of expropriation. Full text English Website www.sierra-leone.org