The need to codify opinions rendered by the Supreme Court of Liberia and statutes of the Legislature has been underscored here.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia, March 27, 2025- The Law Reform Commission reveals here that for over 24 years, opinions of the Supreme Court’s and the statutes of the Legislature have not been codified, something, the Commission describes as deeply troubling and problematic.
Codification of the legal system helps create clarity and consistency, making it easier to understand and follow. It typically involves organizing existing laws into a unified structure, often in the form of a code, which can be systematically applied and interpreted.
Cllr. Boakai N. Kanneh, Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, emphasizes that codification is not a routine legal task, but requires specialized legal training.
“It is troubling that the Supreme Court’s opinions and the Legislature’s statutes have not been codified for over 24 years. These are areas where we need support from both the government and international partners, to make progress,” Cllr. Kanneh underscores.
He made the observation during an interview with reporters at his office in Monrovia.
He highlights capacity challenges facing the Commission, particularly lack of human resources.
He says to run the Law Reform Commission effectively, it requires competent legal professionals, adding “It’s crucial to recruit the right set of lawyers and train them adequately.”
Speaking on origin of the Commission, he explains that Liberia’s civil crisis prompted creation of various institutions aimed at ensuring the country would not fall back into conflict.
When peace talks took place in Accra, Ghana, it was agreed that the Governance Commission would be established to improve the country’s governance infrastructure. One of the outcomes of this process was the establishment of the Law Reform Commission, which recognized that Liberia’s laws were outdated.
“The laws we are working with today were drafted between 1972 and 1978. Given the time that has passed, it’s clear they have been overtaken by events,” argues Kanneh. He also points out that the Liberian Constitution, drafted in 1986, has not kept pace with contemporary realities. As a result, there have been ongoing calls for a constitutional review.
“The Law Reform Commission is at the heart of this process. We constantly review the laws, advising the Legislature and the government on necessary changes, amendments, or updates,” he continues. “When the Legislature reviews laws, we provide counsel. Additionally, we work closely with the Ministry of Justice in the codification process.”
Kanneh acknowledges that resource constraints are widespread within the government, but commends the current administration for prioritizing the rule of law in its Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), noting that a civilized country is not defined solely by its infrastructure, but by how it is governed according to the rule of law.
“We are committed to ensuring that the laws of Liberia are respected and enforced. As public servants, we bear the responsibility of making sure our work impacts the lives of the Liberian people”, he underscores. Editing by Jonathan Browne
