‘’Take the president's speech seriously” Chief justice Yuoh tells judicial actors
Madam Yuoh's call follows President Boakai's State of the Nations Address where he said “our justice system which is meant to protect the innocent and punish the guilty has been marred by inefficiency, corruption, and lack of public trust.
In regards to the statement made earlier, chief justice Yuoh cautioned judicial actors to wear the garment of been non- non-corruptible in dispensing justice without fear or favor .
Chief Justice Yuoh told lawyers and judges:" Such statement should serve as a challenge to us as judicial actors"
She calls on lawyers to demonstrate efficiency, stating that the supreme court of Liberia will not hesitate to institute measures to curb and eradicate all forms of dilatory tactics of lawyers in all instances.
Chief Yuoh, maintained that the court expects full adherence to the principle of the law which states “every court entering a decree maintains jurisdiction until its judgment is fully satisfied:
The Supreme Court of Liberia Chief Justice Yuoh, however, resonated her unwavering stance on the administration of justice in the interest of peace, harmony, stability, economic and viability of the country.
“The time for warning is over, and it’s now time to act’ to this end, and in consultation with my esteemed colleagues, I am pleased to announce that the supreme court has constituted a review committee on the revised rule of courts, the code of moral and professional ethics of lawyers and judicial canons as well as our procedural codes, with the end purpose of identifying challenges and shortcomings if any.” she said.
At the same time, she urged all courts of records deciding ejectment cases to assert their very best in utilizing the technical expertise of Liberia Land Authority or other licensed land surveyors and in consonance with applicable laws.
Justice Yuoh made the calls at the 10th national trial judges conference held under the theme: " The Judiciary and Democracy: safeguarding, democratic values in the legal system, especially during and after elections, and the conference ran from the 1st of February to the 3st respectively.
Also speaking the guest speaker Cllr. Negbalee Warner, said judges are not politicians with political dynamatic, partisan’s interest or doing job with fear to please their constituents.
Highlighting the roles Judges play, Cllr Warner said a Judge must maintain a high level of moral conduct and integrity and demand the same from administrative staff.
The Heritage Partners and Associate Senior Head also noted that the role of judges is to safeguard democracy and the implementation of the rule of law.
"Liberian judges comprising the National Association of Trial Judges need not to do anything else other than what they are told to do in safeguarding the democracy" he explained
According to him, judges need to be efficient in the deposition of cases through personal attention, diligence efforts and time from other actors including clerks, ministerial staff, party litigants and counselors; if the public must confide in the courts, it must exhibit the respect for the rule of law.
“We desire an efficient and effective judiciary, not only clean in need but in conduct , we must do away with the saying the court is the time or the judge time is the time of the court as these processes need to be improved as we seek improvement, Warner stressed
He emphasized: "Judges bear the greatest responsibility for any miscarriage of justice or conduct and they have the authority and means to prevent or mitigate wrong or dishonorable conduct"
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