Sierra Leone has been recognized as one of the top performers in the latest World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2025, marking a historic milestone in the country’s commitment to justice, accountability, and good governance on Sunday November 2, 2025.
The WJP reported that 68% of countries worldwide experienced a decline in their rule of law performance this year, continuing a trend of global backsliding that has lasted for eight consecutive years.
However, Sierra Leone stands out as one of the few countries that has made significant improvements, earning global recognition for strengthening the independence, transparency, and effectiveness of its judicial system.
This remarkable progress is the result of a series of transformative reforms led by Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, whose leadership has revitalized the administration of justice and restored public confidence in the rule of law.
In less than a year, Chief Justice Kamanda implemented several key initiatives to decentralize and expand access to justice. Among these reforms, he revived High Court sittings in provinces such as Pujehun and Kono Districts. In Mile 91, Yoni Mamaila Chiefdom in Tonkolili District, the Chief Justice appointed a Resident Magistrate and established a Magistrate’s Court in the town for the first time in its history.
In the area of judicial accountability and integrity, Chief Justice Kamanda restructured the Bailiffs Department, issuing an order that no execution shall be carried out by the Undersheriff’s Office without an attached payment slip and the approval of Supervisory Judges. This radical reform not only raises essential funds for the Government through the National Revenue Authority but also ensures that unreasonable fees are no longer levied for executions, preventing them from being used to frustrate court processes.
To address longstanding challenges faced by survivors of sexual offenses in the Southern and North-Western Regions, Chief Justice Kamanda established Sexual Offences Model Courts in Bo and Makeni City. This initiative has greatly improved the timely handling of cases involving the sexual abuse of children and women.
In a further effort to modernize the judiciary, Chief Justice Kamanda commissioned an ultra-modern e-library resource at the Main Law Courts Building to improve the research capacity of judicial officers and lawyers. Additionally, he has positioned Sierra Leone’s judiciary on the global stage by facilitating international training programs for judges and magistrates. This commitment to continuous professional development fosters competence, independence, and adherence to international standards.
To combat transnational organized crimes, the Chief Justice has assigned dedicated judges to handle cases related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach.
Chief Justice Kamanda has also focused on public engagement and transparency, regularly publishing updates and increasing collaboration with civil society and the media to build trust and openness in the judicial system.
Reflecting on these achievements, Chief Justice Kamanda expressed gratitude to the judiciary, the Government of Sierra Leone, and development partners for their unwavering support in advancing justice sector reforms.
“This recognition by the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index is not just about the judiciary; it reflects the collective effort of a nation determined to uphold fairness, equality, and accountability under the law,” said Chief Justice Kamanda. “We are building a justice system that protects the rights of all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of status or circumstance.”
The World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index is the world’s leading independent measure of how the rule of law is experienced and perceived across countries. It evaluates eight key factors: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.
Sierra Leone’s improved performance in the 2025 Index reflects growing confidence in its legal institutions and the country’s resilience in strengthening democratic governance, even amidst global challenges.