T he republic of liberia marine notice mlc006 office of. Reform of the justice system needs to be a top priority for liberias new government and donors alike. Other miscellaneous provisions a the trial of all cases under section 14. Liberias law school was founded by rudolph grimes, who was the 1 st dean of the louis arthur grimes school of law at the university of liberia. Liberia confers nationality solely on the basis of race. The liberian national police is the national police force in liberia. However, despite laws being set out in the liberian constitution, there is a. Part i introductory, of the criminal procedure law, title 2 of the liberian code of. Handbook as a comprehensive tool for your work as a prosecutor. Aug 22, 20 this 64page report describes the multiple criminal activities by corrupt police officers, from charging crime victims for every stage of an investigation, to extorting goods from street vendors. Decret du 12 avril 1886 relatif a lextradition decree of 12 april 1886 relating to extradition, available at.
She is a cofounder and director of the newly established centre for human rights and development chrd in sierra leone. The republic of liberia signed the rome statute of the international. Needless to mention then that liberia has some of the most modern western penal and criminal procedure laws. That from and immediately upon the passage of this act, the new penal law, title 26 is hereby further amended by adding thereto a new subchapter g to.
Yekehkolubah petitions court for acquittal the new dawn. Under the current liberian constitution, only persons of black african origins may obtain citizenship, although liberian law allows members of other races to hold permanent residency status. This gap was addressed by the unodc project promoting rule of law and governance in the criminal justice system in liberia hereinafter the project, which aimed to. An act against criminal conveyance of land an act to amend chapter 15 subchapter b, section 15. This guide to law online liberia contains a selection of liberian legal, juridical, and governmental sources accessible through the internet. This 64page report describes the multiple criminal activities by corrupt police officers, from charging crime victims for every stage of an investigation, to extorting goods from street vendors. Even an accused is not aware of these two legal terms. Criminal procedure law refers only to extradition of foreigners. Sep 18, 20 liberias civil procedure law provides no cap on the period that a civil defendant can be imprisoned.
To effectively respond to sexual assault, abuse and exploitation cases, prosecutors. Title 3 of the liberian code of laws of 1956, known as the aliens and nationality law, as amended through the fourth regular session of. Rape is a seconddegree felony where the conditions set out in section 4a iiv above are not met. Criminal procedure law adopted by the legislature of the republic of liberia. The provisions of this title govern the procedure in criminal proceedings in all courts of the republic of liberia except where a different procedure is expressly provided by statute or rule of court. The form of government in liberia, as set forth in article 3 of the liberian constitution 1986, is republican with three separate coordinate branches. Law, captioned criminal trespass and make n a serious crime under ubertan law. Published under authority of the legislature of liberia and president william r. Under the terms of chapter 20 of the aliens and nationality law based on article 27b of the constitution, citizenship applies to any person who is a negro, or of negro descent, born in liberia and subject to the jurisdiction thereof or person born outside liberia whose father i was born a citizen of liberia. The supreme court shall hold two terms annually, commencing on the.
The law school was named after his father, who was one of liberias greatest lawyers and jurists. Whereas, for decades criminal minded liberians have engaged in sale of land to non liberians. Law and practice is a favorite among instructors and students alike because of its clear and crisp writing style, extensive use of engaging pedagogy, and unique ability to cover criminal procedure completely and accurately without bogging students down in irrelevant minutiae. Criminal law and procedure, 8th edition 9781285070117 cengage. Domestic legislation for serious crimes under international law. In many ways, it is a general handbook on prosecution, including tips on how to work with the police to investigate crimes, how to prepare witnesses to testify, or how to give an. A guide to the liberian legal system and legal research. Except as provided in the civil procedure law, jury cases shall have preference over all other cases and matters, and criminal cases shall first be heard. Yekehkolubah petitions court for acquittal the new dawn liberia.
Decent work act of liberia passed into law jonah kotee. This eighth edition discusses recent supreme court decisions and headline cases, as well as important updates to criminal laws and statutes in the post911 world, including whitecollar crime, cybercrime, terrorism, standards of proof, the patriot act, and. Liberian code of laws revised adopted by the legislature of the republic of liberia. Criminal law and procedure, 8th edition 9781285070117. Links provide access to primary documents, legal commentary, and general government information about specific jurisdictions and topics. Liberia passed a rape law in 2005 which explicitly specifies that rape is a criminal act. Kolubah prays the court to grant him a judgment of acquittal in line with section 20.
Criminal procedure law, liberian codes revised volume i, title 2 domestic relations law, 1973 liberian codes revised, title 9 some of liberias statutes like the revised hinterland rules and regulations governing the hinterland of liberia 2001 which is supposed to apply in counties. Ministry of justice of the republic of liberia berkeley law. A guide to the liberian legal system and legal research by hanatu kabbah hanatu kabbah holds an ll. Court denies yekeh kolubahs request the new dawn liberia. To my understanding only a person who has acquired knowledge from workshops, law books, or school has a sufficient idea about criminal procedure and civil procedure. An act to amend the new penal code chapter 14 sections 14. The benchbooks served as the institutes prime teaching resource and they are increasingly cited as the predominant courtroom reference material for judges across the country. Consistent with the constitution and the criminal procedure law and. Judiciary law title 17 liberian code of laws revised. Inadequate efforts by liberian government to combat human trafficking lack of support to nongovernmental safe homes since government refer cases to safe homes manage by csos or ingos.
Legislation online liberian law at university of cornell law library, usa pdf doc. Rights of a person to court protection 1 every natural or legal person hereinafter person has a right to protection of their. In comparison to other criminal justice actors, the pdo had not received much support in postconflict liberia. An act adopting a new aliens and nationality law it is enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the republic of liberia, in legislature assembled. Nebo, justice and peace commission the concepts of criminal and civil procedure are quite strange to people living in grand gedeh county.
Governance in the criminal justice system in liberia hereinafter the project, which aimed to build the capacity of public defense lawyers, the pdo and also the james a. The legal system in liberia is a dual one of statutory law based on anglo american common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten customary practices for the indigenous people. In the criminal procedure law one finds elaborate modern penal institutions 8 different kinds of prison institutions listed, correctional institutions, bureau of probation and parole, etc. The provisions of this title govern the procedure in criminal proceedings in all courts of the republic of liberia except where a different procedure is expressly provided by statute or rule of court article 1. The provisions of this title govern the procedure in criminal proceedings in all courts of the republic of liberia except where a different procedure is expressly.
Promoting rule of law and governance in the criminal. Introduction t his users guide introduces the model codes for postconflict criminal justice, a threevolume series designed to assist those working in criminal law reform in postconflict states. The handbook is designed to be accessible so that you can easily flip to a relevant section during a case. The law school is a graduate school at the university. Interpol says that the lnps mandate is to to maintain public order and safety. Another aba rolisupported project was the creation and dissemination of liberias first benchbooks, which covered criminal procedure and other relevant laws. It is enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the republic of liberia, in legislature assembled. Citation follow ing is to title 2 of that code and, following the colon, to the section number of that title.
The inheritance act was also passed to govern the devolution of estates and establish rights of inheritance for spouses of both statutory and customary marriages. Promoting rule of law and governance in the criminal justice. Active practice of law, as used herein, shall include judicial service, governmental service and teaching of law. Liberias civil procedure law provides no cap on the period that a civil defendant can be imprisoned. An act to repeal an act adopting a new copyright law of. Public works law refugee act, 1993 revised laws and administrative regulations for governing the hinterland rules and regulations governing the hinterland of liberia 1949 the act establishing the national security agency. Mutual legal assistance in criminal matters act 2012 vertic. However, despite laws being set out in the liberian constitution, there is a gap between these laws and their implementation.
The maximum sentence for second degree rape shall be ten 10 years imprisonment. Within liberia itself, the wider implications of the policy are part of a heated debate in which some native liberians themselves have acknowledged. Criminal law and procedure offers intriguing cases, critical developments, and a broad coverage of law and procedures. An act adopting a new penal law and repealing sections 31.
Rule of law programs liberia american bar association. Criminal and civil procedure explained jpc liberia. Sources of law in liberia the primary sources of law in liberia are. Liberia currently has a dual system of statutory law based on angloamerican common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for the indigenous sector. It states that a defendant can be imprisoned for a period sufficiently long to liquidate. Criminal procedure law as revised through 8 may 1972. This same article of the liberian constitution also dictates that consistent with the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances, no. In any prosecution for an offense, lack of criminal responsibility by reason of immaturity.
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