Supreme Court Assigns Seven Magistrates in Bong
As part of efforts to enhance quality justice system in rural Liberia, the Supreme Court of Liberia recently assigned seven professional magistrates in Bong County from the James A.A Pierre Judicial Institute following fifteen months of legal training.
Speaking at the formal commissioning ceremony, Associate Justice Kabineh Jan’eh underscored the need for the creation of more magisterial areas in populated counties across country to ensure the dispensation of justice.
Justice Jan’eh pleaded with the legislature to collaborate with the supreme court toensure the establishment of additional magisterial areas through legislation to guarantee the smooth dispensation of justice.
He observed that there were more magisterial courts in some less populated counties, making specific reference to Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties in south-eastern Liberia with nearly fifty magisterial areas despite its low population.
The Associate Justice indicated that the creation of magisterial courts should purposely serve to dispense justice to the needy rather than serving as an avenue for the creation of jobs for people who are not up to the task to properly execute their responsibilities.
Speaking further, he wondered why a county like Bong with a population of over three hundred thousand will have less than ten magisterial courts, pointing this is unrealistic as such the county is being under serve in the dispensation of justice which needs to be looked at seriously to fill the gap.
He used the occasion to urged the Bong County Legislative Caucus and local bar to collaborate their efforts to ensure the establishment of additional magisterial areas in the county with a growing population.
Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony of professional magistrates, the resident circuit judge of Bong County Boimah Kontoe described the assignment of the newly trained magistrates in the county as dream come true which will immensely beef up the professional strength of court system in the county.
The resident circuit judge challenged the legal practitioners to work with diligence and integrity and desist from acts that could bring the judiciary to public disrepute as they go about in the discharge of their duties.
Judge Kontoe cautioned the magistrates despite their study at the James A.A Pierre Judicial Institute they still need practical exposure as such they should always consult senior legal practitioners to avoid simple mistakes in cases that will come become them for adjudication.
The seven professional magistrates have taken up assignments at the magisterial courts in Gbarnga, Gbarlatuah, Bong Mines, and Salala where they are expected to serve as associate magistrates.
