LIBERIA – During the dedication ceremony of the 14th Judicial Circuit Court Complex in Cestos City, River Cess County, on Monday, August 12, 2024, Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh delivered a stern appeal, highlighting the critical underfunding and neglect of Liberia’s court system. Chief Justice Yuoh voiced her concerns over the decade-long lack of renovations or construction of magistrate courts, stressing that the government must prioritize proper funding for the judiciary if the legal system is to function effectively.
Speaking before the gathering, Chief Justice Yuoh criticized both the Executive and Legislative branches for continuing to establish magisterial courts across Liberia without allocating the necessary budgetary resources. She expressed frustration that while new courts are being created, there are no funds to cover the salaries of stipendiary magistrates, associate magistrates, or support staff such as bailiffs, all of whom are essential to the operation of these courts. “The government must put its money where its mouth is,” Yuoh declared, emphasizing that without proper financial backing, these courts are doomed to fail in delivering justice.
Chief Justice Yuoh recounted a recent example of this issue, describing how a lawmaker sought legislative approval to establish another magisterial court in his district without securing any funding. She shared that she personally met the legislator at a clinic and directly informed him that the Supreme Court would not allow the establishment of new courts unless the necessary budgetary allocations were in place. “If you want to establish a court, put your money where your mouth is,” she reiterated, making it clear that the judiciary would not tolerate further unfunded mandates.
Additionally, Chief Justice Yuoh voiced disappointment over the judiciary’s inability to present its comprehensive five-year strategic plan. The strategic plan outlines the judiciary’s vision for reform and development, including improvements to infrastructure and the delivery of justice, yet it remains overlooked by the Executive. Yuoh emphasized that discussing this plan is essential to ensuring the judiciary’s future viability.
Her remarks underlined the urgent need for Liberia’s government to commit to the financial sustainability of the court system. Without this commitment, the judiciary risks falling into deeper disrepair, which could undermine the rule of law and access to justice for citizens across the nation.
