To Review Weah’s Appointees
By: R. Joyclyn Wea
MONROVIA-The Judiciary under the Yuoh’s Bench has revoked Section 7.5 of the Judiciary Law of Liberia to review the performance of Magistrates appointed by the President of the Republic of Liberia.
The law states: “The Stipendiary Magistrate shall hold office for the period of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment, but he may be removed from his office by the President prior to the expiration of his term of office for a cause established by an investigation conducted by the Judiciary Inquiry Commission (JIC).”
According to her, the above-quoted provision was due to the ‘brain dream’ in the legal profession during the Liberian civil crisis, and that giving the situation back then, it was necessary to have magistrates in the magisterial courts to maintain access to justice and adherence to the rule of law.
“Now that we have moved far beyond the war days, we will be submitting to the President a list of all active Stipendiary and Associate Magistrates whose commission is due for renewal,” Yuoh vowed.
Going forward, the Chief Justice disclosed that the supreme court will closely collaborate with the JIC and the office of the court administrator to conduct a tough performance review of every magistrate serving for four years in order to determine whether or not said magistrate is morally and professionally qualified to remain in the court.
Delivering her charge at the opening review of the Supreme Court for its March term, Chief Justice Sie-Nyene G. Yuoh said in order to monitor and evaluate the effective performances and to restore order across all magisterial courts, the branch has also invoked section 7.5 of the Judiciary Law as amended in 2013.
This is part of the Chief Justice’s effort to rebrand the images of the Judiciary Branch of the Government of Liberia.
“My colleagues and I are in agreement that there is a need for stronger coordination between and among all three branches of government with regard to the establishment of magisterial courts and the appointment of magistrates in order to create efficient magisterial services, especially in rural Liberia.
According to her, over the years, performance by the courts and the judiciary has been discouraging, something which has not changed to date, hence, her bench has embarked on an activity styled: “Rebranding the image of the Judiciary everyone does his or her work as the days of warning are over.”
The rebranding of the Liberian Judiciary seeks to create a strong positive image and perception for this branch of government which will evidently render greater public trust and dependability in the Judicial System of the Country.
The brand mark will instill the improvement in the quality of judicial services provided in the courts across the country by elevating the quality of personnel both judicial and non-judicial officials at the Judiciary while at the same time working to improve the infrastructure that will provide a conducive environment and also strengthen our system of monitoring and evaluation on job performances to ensure professionalism become the hallmark of the Liberian Judiciary rather than business as usual.
As part of the rebranding initiative, the Liberian Judiciary will embark on massive awareness of the function of the Liberian Judicial system by using various communication methods and tools to ensure that the Liberian people and other nationals residing within the republic are fully educated on the workings of the judicial system especially prior, during and after this elections.
In the same like, the Liberia National Bar Association has concurred with the Chief Justice to review and replaced some magistrates and judges appointed by the President due to poor performances.
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