General Practice Law at Sierra Leone
General practice law in Sierra Leone involves legal professionals handling a wide range of legal matters due to the country’s relatively small legal market and limited number of specialists. Lawyers often represent clients across civil, criminal, family, property, commercial, and constitutional law cases.
⚖️ Overview: General Practice Law in Sierra Leone
✅ Common Practice Areas
Civil Law
Contract disputes
Negligence and torts
Landlord-tenant issues
Debt collection
Criminal Law
Representation in Magistrates’ and High Courts
Bail applications
Defense in felonies and misdemeanors
Family Law
Divorce and separation
Custody and maintenance
Inheritance and succession (including customary aspects)
Land and Property Law
Conveyancing
Lease agreements
Land disputes (customary vs statutory ownership)
Probate and Estate Law
Administration of estates
Wills and intestate succession
Letters of administration
Corporate and Commercial Law
Business incorporation (under the Companies Act 2009)
Drafting and reviewing contracts
Regulatory compliance and tax law
Employment Law
Drafting employment contracts
Wrongful dismissal claims
Labor tribunal representation
🏛️ Legal and Judicial System
Sierra Leone operates under a dual legal system:
English Common Law and local statutes
Customary Law, especially in family, land, and succession matters in rural areas
🧑⚖️ Court System
Magistrates' Courts – Handle less serious civil and criminal matters.
High Court – Handles serious criminal trials, major civil cases, and judicial reviews.
Court of Appeal
Supreme Court – Final court of appeal and constitutional interpretation.
Local/Traditional Courts – Operate under the Customary Law in rural districts, mainly for land and family disputes.
🧑💼 Regulation of Legal Practice
Lawyers must be called to the Bar by the General Legal Council.
Training typically involves:
A law degree (LL.B.)
Legal Practice Course or Bar studies at the Sierra Leone Law School
Call to the Bar and admission as a Barrister and Solicitor
Regulated under the Legal Practitioners Act.
The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) represents the legal profession.
🔍 Special Considerations
Customary law is very influential in rural areas, especially regarding family and land matters.
General practitioners are often the first point of contact for all legal issues.
Legal aid exists but is limited and mainly handled by NGOs and a few public interest organizations.
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