Monrovia – Liberia’s Judiciary has taken a major step toward addressing long-standing challenges in the handling of family-related cases, as key justice sector actors on Thursday, April 16, validated a draft bill seeking to establish the country’s first specialized Family Court.
By: Willie N. Tokpah
The high-level validation session, held at the Temple of Justice, brought together stakeholders from the Judiciary, Law Reform Commission, Ministry of Gender, the Liberian National Bar Association, civil society organizations, and development partners.
Delivering the keynote, Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr. described the occasion as “a defining moment in the history of the Judiciary,” emphasizing that the establishment of a Family Court fulfills a major commitment made during his confirmation hearing before the Liberian Senate.
“This is a defining moment in the history of the Judiciary; one that we have all worked exceedingly hard to achieve,” Chief Justice Gbeisay declared.
“The establishment of a Family Court will ensure greater access to justice for our mothers, wives, children, and families across Liberia.”
He disclosed that a multi-stakeholder committee, headed by Juvenile Court Judge Lucia Anderson and comprising representatives from the Ministry of Gender, LNBA, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), and civil society, initiated the drafting process before forwarding it to the Law Reform Commission for technical review.
According to him, the proposed court forms part of a broader judicial reform agenda aimed at easing Liberia’s congested court dockets while ensuring speedy and fair adjudication of family disputes, including divorce, custody, and paternity matters.
“We as the end users of the law have the duty to support this draft,” he added.
“A family is the vital unit of any society, and no society can develop better than its family structure.”
A Transformative Legal Reform
Also speaking, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, Chairperson of the Law Reform Commission, described the draft Family Court Bill as “one of the most transformative legal reforms in Liberia’s history.”
“For decades, families have navigated a justice system not specifically designed to address their unique vulnerabilities,” Varmah noted.
“Today, we say that it must change, and it will change.”
He revealed that a prior stakeholders’ consultation held on April 9, significantly strengthened the draft, incorporating wide-ranging recommendations aimed at making the court more responsive and people-centered.
“The establishment of a Family Court is more than institutional reform, it is a paradigm shift,” he said.
“It means a child’s voice will be better heard, survivors of domestic violence will find protection, and families in crisis will receive justice in an environment grounded in empathy and efficiency.”
AFELL Pushes for Child Protection, Accessibility
Representing AFELL, Cllr. Sundaiway E. Nelson Amegashie stressed that the court must prioritize the “best interest of the child” while remaining accessible to ordinary Liberians.
“The establishment of a specialized Family Court is not merely a structural reform; it is a human-centered reform,” she said.
“Justice in family matters must be accessible, timely, child-sensitive, and protective of the most vulnerable.”
She called for trained personnel, including social workers and counselors, simplified procedures for self-represented litigants, and strong enforcement mechanisms to ensure court rulings are meaningful.
LNBA Calls for Broad Jurisdiction
For her part, Cllr. Moriah Yekulah Korkpor of the LNBA emphasized that the proposed Family Court should not be limited to civil jurisdiction alone.
“We will emphasize the need for the Family Court to have expanded jurisdiction, including criminal matters relating to family issues such as support, non-support, and various forms of violence,” she said.
Korkpor also raised concerns about access to justice beyond Montserrado County, urging planners to consider rural communities where magisterial courts often serve as the first point of legal recourse.
Civil Society Backs Reform, Promises Oversight
Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Melvin Yealue, welcomed the initiative, describing speedy justice as “an essential ingredient of good governance.”
“We are not just watchdogs, we are peace brokers and catalysts of accountability,” Yealue said.
“We will work closely with the Judiciary and the Law Reform Commission to ensure that this court benefits all Liberians.”
Toward a More Responsive Justice System
Stakeholders at the validation session emphasized that the success of the Family Court will depend not only on legislation but also on implementation, public awareness, and sustained collaboration among institutions.
If enacted, the Family Court is expected to significantly transform how Liberia handles sensitive family cases.
