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The Criminal Procedure Act 2024: A Modern Justice Framework In Sierra Leone

The Criminal Procedure Act 2024 replaces outdated laws from 1965, ushering in what many call a “new era of justice and equality.” The Act introduces sweeping reforms aimed at making the criminal process faster, fairer, and more transparent.

Key highlights include:

• Abolition of the jury system in favour of judge-led trials; a move designed to reduce delays and potential bias.
• Time limits for trials to prevent prolonged detention and backlog cases must now move from committal to trial within strict timelines.
• Updated procedures for arrests, searches, warrants, and pre-trial hearings.
• Enhanced protection for victims, witnesses, and defendants, aligning Sierra Leone’s justice system with international human rights standards.

This reform is more than procedural. It’s a clear statement that justice in Sierra Leone must be accessible, efficient, and fair to all, especially for those who have long been left waiting for it.

The Child Rights Act 2025: Protecting Sierra Leone’s Future

Passed in 2025, the Child Rights Act represents another milestone reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to safeguard children’s rights in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

The Act strengthens legal protections for children against abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harmful traditional practices. It aims to ensure that every child in Sierra Leone grows up in safety, dignity, and opportunity.

Civil society organisations, however, have urged further progress especially around criminalising female genital mutilation (FGM) and other practices that continue to endanger girls. The debate surrounding the Act highlights the ongoing tension between statutory reform and cultural resistance, a theme that continues to shape Sierra Leone’s legal development.

Any Relevance?

Both Acts, one focused on justice, the other on protection illustrate a legal system in motion. They mark Sierra Leone’s shift toward stronger rule of law, accountability, and rights-based governance.

1. For legal practitioners, researchers, and advocates, these changes create new opportunities to:
2. Strengthen access to justice and fair trial rights.
3. Expand child protection advocacy and social welfare law.
4. Bridge the gap between customary and statutory systems, ensuring reform translates into real community impact.

Take Away…

The passage of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024 and Child Rights Act 2025 is more than legislative housekeeping, it’s a step toward a more inclusive and humane justice system.
As Sierra Leone continues to evolve, these laws remind us that meaningful legal reform is not just about changing texts ,it’s about changing lives!