PHOTO; Members of the Supreme Court Bench
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- It has been four years now since a well-publicized National Judicial Retreat was held, but so far no report of its outcome has been made public, yet the Supreme Court has now announced another national conference slated for next Monday.
The conference, which will be held from June 7-11, 2021 at the Ministerial Center in Monrovia’s Congo Town suburb, is being organized by the Judiciary Branch of Government.
According to a press release issued by its Director of Communications, Atty. Amborse Nmah at the weekend, Part one of rule nineteen of the revised rules of the Supreme Court provides that the Supreme Court shall hold a national Judicial conference at least once every year to discuss pertinent legal issues relative to the administration of Justice.
And they are to come up with practicable solutions that take cognizance of the dynamic and progressive nature of the law and the prevailing needs and condition in our society.
But four years ago, a similar forum was held by the Liberian Judiciary headed by Chief Justice Cllr. Francis Korkpor in May 2017, referred to as a judicial retreat theme: Strengthening the rule of law in Liberia through enhanced judicial performance.
Held at the 9th Judicial Circuit Court located at the central Hub in Gbarnga, Bong County in central Liberia was dubbed as the first of its kind in the history of the Liberian judiciary and the Judiciary promised to release a report on the outcome to the public afterwards.
But four years on, the Judiciary is yet to give the report, despite persistent reminders by the media championed first by the former United Nations Radio in Monrovia (UNMIL) succeed now by ECOWAS Radio. The station has every week since the retreat flagged the issue of the failure of the Judiciary to release the report on the outcome of the 2016 gathering.
The 2016 Judicial retreat was sponsored by the Liberian government with assistance from the United Nations Mission in Liberia at the time.
Liberia’s Chief Justice Francis Korkpor during his opening remarks said the event was exclusively designed for justices and judges, promising to release the report from that meeting attended by the Carter Center and other civil society institutions were.
Now, the Judiciary press release says the June 2021 National Judicial conference will be held under the theme: The Law, Public policy and the Economy which will focus on critical legal and public policy issues and their impact be it positive or negative on the economy of Liberia taking into consideration the global Dynamics and changes in our world today.
The press release further added that law, public, policy and economics to a large extent are the nerve center of peace, security and prosperity in any Nation.
Laws crafted must be able to shape public policy and political decisions and by extension provide equitable economic freedom to all and the conference this year will discuss the role of public policy in addressing societal issues confronting ordinary citizens the release said.
Furthermore, the conference will also allow the Judiciary to play a significant role in business climate reforms by examining and where necessary, reforming rules and legal processes and procedures that will increase the confidence of potential investors and existing businesses as well as improve the ease of doing business in Liberia.
Next week’s five-day conference is expected to bring together Supreme Court Justices, Judges, Magistrates and lawyers as well as local and International participants with diverse professional backgrounds that encapsulate the broader spectrum of our Society and the subject matter to be discussed.
According to the Judiciary press statement, the Honorable Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court are also concerned about the Public’s perception of the Judiciary bordering on allegations of ethical transgressions.
And it said the Supreme Court has promised to open a hearty discussions that will yield practicable solutions for the reduction of the Public’s perception of the Judiciary and Garner more positive perception that enhances public confidence in the Judicial system.
Meanwhile, the statement says issues and other topics significant to the growth and development of the Justice system will be key agenda items during next week’s confidence.
Since the retreat four years ago, the Liberian Judiciary has been rocked by a series of ethical and corruption controversies/scandals. Garmah Never Lomo contributed to this news report