2003 Press Releases

U.S. Government Assists Sierra Leone’s National Law Library

October 29, 2003

Freetown, Sierra Leone
Contact: Kevin Green
226-481

29 October 2003 …. United States Ambassador Peter R. Chaveas formally handed over a complete law reporter series and other essential legal treatises to Honorable Chief Justice Abdulai B. Timbo today at the National Law Library on the 1st floor of the Sierra Leone Law Courts building on Siaka Stevens Street.  The donation was made possible through U.S. Government resources earmarked to aid democracy and human rights projects, such as strengthening legal capacity and rule of law in Sierra Leone.  Particularly important to the proper practice of law in Sierra Leone are collections of case law and legal precedent, without which lawyers and judges are unable to determine the correct resolution of legal disputes.  With the donation of the entire volume collection of All England Law Reports, Sierra Leone’s bar and judiciary now have ready access to controlling jurisprudence from the United Kingdom, whose common law underpins that of both Sierra Leone and the United States.  During the handing-over ceremony, Ambassador Chaveas remarked that: “Strengthening the rule of law is absolutely essential to continued social, political and economic progress in Sierra Leone.  Not only does the Sierra Leonean public deserve fair and accurate application of the nation’s civil and criminal laws, but also the international business community demands a secure and predictable investment environment anchored by proper and timely administration of respected legal rules and precedent.  The United States have made these law books available to all members of the Sierra Leone bar and judiciary in hopes that they contribute to this fundamentally important goal. They are essential tools that will empower lawyers and judges to perform their work in a more professional and effective manner.”