By: Precious Miracle Kargbo (Snr)
In a significant step toward bringing justice closer to the people, Sierra Leone’s Court of Appeal will, for the first time, sit in the South-East region to hear 24 appeals originating from the Southern and Eastern regions.
The Judiciary announced the circuit sittings in a public notice dated 2 March 2026.
Issued from the Main Law Courts Building in Freetown, the notice states that the Court of Appeal will commence its circuit sitting on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, in Kenema City. The session will cover appeals from the Southern Region including Bo, Moyamba, Pujehun, and Bonthe districts and the Eastern Region, specifically Kenema and Kailahun districts.
The move forms part of ongoing judicial reforms under Chief Justice Komba Kamanda aimed at decentralising court services and making the justice system more accessible, affordable, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
Judiciary officials have described the initiative as “landmark,” noting that it represents a major effort to reduce the burden on litigants who previously had to travel to Freetown for appellate hearings. By bringing the Court of Appeal to the provinces, the Judiciary expects to lower travel and accommodation costs for parties and witnesses, reduce case backlogs caused by logistical challenges, and strengthen public confidence in the legal system.
The public notice calls on all parties with pending appeals from the affected districts, along with their legal representatives, to cooperate fully with the Court to ensure that proceedings run smoothly, efficiently, and expeditiously. Contact details for the Deputy Master and Registrar, as well as the Registry of the Court of Appeal, were provided for further information and logistical coordination.
The Judiciary also expressed appreciation to key partners, including the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the Legal Aid Board, for their continued support in implementing these reforms. Observers note that collaboration between the Judiciary and these institutions will be essential to ensuring that rural and vulnerable litigants can effectively access appellate remedies.
Legal analysts have welcomed the Kenema sittings as a test case for broader decentralisation. If successful, the initiative could be expanded to other regions, helping to address longstanding geographic inequalities in access to justice. The Court’s decision to pilot a circuit in the South-East will be closely watched by lawyers, civil society organisations, and communities eager for more locally accessible judicial services.