By Precious D. Freeman
The Judiciary, through the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, has officially launched its five-year strategic plan.
In the quest to regain public trust and get the Judiciary on a sustained trajectory of reform and development that would improve access to justice, Chief Justice Yuoh stated that she is now pleased, on behalf of the Full Bench of the Supreme Court of Liberia, to declare this five-year Strategic Plan of the Judiciary (2024-2028) to be officially launched.
“The Supreme Court would look forward to working with all of you to ensure that this plan is fully implemented,” Justice Yuoh said.
Delivering her address at the launch on February 6, 2024, Justice Yuoh acknowledged that it is conspicuous that the public be knowledgeable of the fact that the Judiciary, over the years, has been plagued with multiple challenges, ranging from inadequate budgetary allocation to poor infrastructure and human capacity, stating that these challenges have affected the overall performance of the Judiciary as a system.
Upon assuming the helm of leadership of the Judiciary in 2022, Justice Yuoh’s vision for a new Judiciary under her leadership was crafted into what she referred to as “Rebranding the Judiciary”, a vision which encapsulates a renewal of the system through addressing systematic weaknesses that have impeded the effective function of the Judiciary over the years.
The Chief Justice provided that the new five-year strategic plan seeks the review of Supreme Court Rules and Procedures to reduce case backlogs; public awareness on the jury law; address issues of systemic institutional corruption; developing communication policies to enhance effective judicial information dissemination to improve public confidence in the Judiciary by reviewing the current structures of the GEC and JIC, to develop procedural manuals for the effective operation of the Judiciary, and enhance the human capacity development of relevant staff for digitization through the continuing of judicial education for general capacity development and recruitment and deployment of thirty additional public defenders for increased access to justice.
Adding that it would promote efficient case management for improved access to justice through the development of case management policies and guidelines that are rolled out of modern case management system in all circuits, and training of relevant staff in case management.
That would improve the administration of criminal justice through the reform of the criminal procedure rules and practices that roll out of sexual offences division in other counties, and enhanced collaboration with other actors to address issues such as pre-trial detention across the country.
At the same time, the new strategic plan seeks to develop the Judiciary’s infrastructure for improved access to justice, through the construction of a new Supreme Court building that would further decongest the current building that is overwhelmed.
And also construct seven circuit court/Judicial complexes around the country, and as well as the construction of 20 magisterial courts around the country that would seek the refurbishment and operationalization of three sexual offences courts in three counties; and digitization of the Supreme Court and all circuit court complexes.
Intimating that it would improve Constitutional Rights litigation and judicial integrity by rolling out jury management offices in the remaining counties.
The Liberian Chief Justice, Sie-A-Nyene G Yuoh, expressed her conviction that the goals and objectives defined in the Strategic Plan, when actualized, will get the Judiciary on a sustained trajectory of reform, asserting that it could never revert to business as usual.
But she regretted that her tenure as Chief Justice may not allow her to see the full implementation of the vision, but with the confidence that she has in the team at the Liberian Judiciary, she is convinced that the vision, as espoused in this strategic plan, will be implemented to the fullest.
She said, “I am of the conviction that the goals and objectives defined in this Strategic Plan, when actualized, will get the Judiciary on a sustained trajectory of reform, never to revert to business as usual. Even though my tenure as Chief Justice may not allow me to see the full implementation of this vision, but with the confidence that I have in my team, I am convinced that this vision, as espoused in this strategic plan, will be implemented to the fullest.”
Speaking further, the Resident Representative, AI for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Louis Kuukpen, appreciated the Chief Justice and the Judiciary at large for the comprehensive strategic plan.
He congratulated the Judiciary for the expensive consultative and wise reasoning under the engagement throughout the process.
“We as UNDP are privileged and excited to be part of the launch, and fully represented, we will not rest but assure you that this ends up successfully,” he said.
“This event demonstrates Liberians’ Commitment, Transparency, Accountability, and the Rule of Law set with Human Rights,” he said.
