In a landmark decision aimed at increasing access to justice, the Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda announced that the Court of Appeal will sit in the provinces for the first time since the Judiciary’s establishment to hear and decide appeals from those regions. The initiative is part of broader judicial reforms aimed at decentralising court services, lowering litigation costs, and bringing justice closer to citizens.
The Court of Appeal will hold circuit sittings in Makeni City on Thursday, November 27, 2025, to hear and resolve appeals from the North-East and North-Western regions. A second provincial sitting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in Bo City, to consider appeals from the Southern and Eastern Regions. These sessions represent a significant departure from previous practice, in which appellate hearings were primarily held in the capital and major urban centres.
The Judiciary has issued a call to all parties to pending appeals from the affected regions, together with their legal representatives, to cooperate fully with the Court to ensure that the hearings are held, case records are submitted, and there is full coordination with court registries to avoid delays and ensure the Court’s time is used effectively in each province.
Speaking about the initiative, Chief Justice Kamanda described the provincial circuits as “a new chapter” in the Judiciary’s efforts to ensure that no citizen is denied access to justice because of geographical or financial constraints. He reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to promoting fairness, transparency, and the rule of law. He reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to promoting fairness, transparency, and the rule of law while remaining affordable and responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.
The Judiciary also thanked key stakeholders for their assistance in carrying out these reforms, including the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the Legal Aid Board. Officials stated that successful implementation will require ongoing collaboration among judicial officers, government partners, legal practitioners, and civil society, and promised to monitor and evaluate circuit sittings to inform future decentralisation efforts.
