Constitutional

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1961

Principle established: The court has jurisdiction to review an acting Governor's statutory recognition powers, and statutory power to recognise 'any person' as tribal headman is limited to persons belonging to that specific tribe.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1961

Principle established: The court has jurisdiction to determine whether the Governor acted within statutory powers, and statutory authority to recognise a tribal headman extends only to members of that specific tribe.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2023

Principle established: Commissions of Inquiry established under the Constitution have the mandate to examine the assets of former public officials to determine if they were acquired lawfully.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1920-36

Principle established: A protectorate is not part of British dominions for the purpose of rule service provisions, requiring notice of a writ rather than the writ itself to be served.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2015

Principle established: The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction to interpret the Constitution regarding the removal and replacement of the Vice-President and the extent of executive power in such matters.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2015

Principle established: The Supreme Court determines constitutional questions concerning the vacancy of the office of Vice-President and the legality of subsequent appointments by the President.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2015

Principle established: The Supreme Court's original jurisdiction is invoked to clarify the constitutional provisions governing the office of the Vice-President and the limits of presidential authority.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2015

Principle established: Constitutional interpretation by the Supreme Court is required to resolve disputes over the tenure of high-ranking executive officers and the procedural requirements for their removal.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2015

Principle established: The Supreme Court provides definitive rulings on the interpretation of sections 124 and 127 of the Constitution in matters of national importance involving the executive branch.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2014

Principle established: The Supreme Court's original jurisdiction is invoked to determine if a political party's internal organization complies with democratic principles mandated by the Constitution.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1999

Principle established: Section 133(1) of the 1991 Constitution abolished the procedural requirement for obtaining a fiat or petition of right to commence legal proceedings against the Government of Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2015

Principle established: The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction to determine whether the internal organization and programs of a political party conform to the democratic principles prescribed by the Constitution.

Kenya · 2024

Principle established: The Supreme Court may consider applications for the adoption of a consent between parties, though repeated failed applications may indicate a failure to resolve the underlying dispute.

Kenya · 2025

Principle established: The Chief Justice, as head of the Judiciary, has the authority to issue administrative circulars regarding the waiver or exemption of court fees for State organs and agencies.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2017

Principle established: An interlocutory injunction may be granted to restrain a political party's national conference or executive meetings pending the determination of an appeal concerning internal party elections.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2021

Principle established: Judicial review may be sought to quash decisions or orders of a lower court where there is a jurisdictional error, procedural impropriety, or a breach of fundamental rights.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2019

Principle established: The court examined grounds of appeal involving the failure to record a summing-up, misdirection on self-defence and provocation, and the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence for murder.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2018

Principle established: The court examined grounds of appeal involving the failure to record a summing-up, misdirection on self-defence and provocation, and the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence for murder.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2019

Principle established: The court examined grounds of appeal involving the failure to record a summing-up, misdirection on self-defence and provocation, and the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence for murder.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2013

Principle established: A party may apply to set aside a petition and its service on the grounds of gross irregularity.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1964-66

Principle established: Notice terminating the appointment of a judicial officer cannot be backdated and takes effect only on or after the date it is actually given.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1964-66

Principle established: Where an offence-creating statute is repealed and re-enacted with stiffer penalties, an offence committed before the repeal must be punished under the repealed statute's original penalties.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1965

Principle established: Where an enactment creating an offence is repealed and re-enacted with heavier penalties, offences committed prior to repeal must be punished according to the repealed enactment's lesser penalties.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1950-56

Principle established: An instrument appointing a Deputy Governor that confers authority in wide terms to exercise all powers vested in the Governor satisfies the constitutional requirement that such powers be specified.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1920-36

Principle established: The Circuit Court possesses only limited statutory jurisdiction and has no inherent or statutory authority to issue writs of habeas corpus.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2018

Principle established: The court addressed a notice of discontinuance filed by a plaintiff in a constitutional matter concerning the eligibility of a candidate based on citizenship.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2018

Principle established: The court addressed a notice of discontinuance filed by a plaintiff in a constitutional matter concerning the eligibility of a candidate based on citizenship.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2018

Principle established: The court addressed a notice of discontinuance filed by a plaintiff in a constitutional matter concerning the eligibility of a candidate based on citizenship.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1920-36

Principle established: A judge assumes office upon taking judicial oaths without retroactive effect to the start of the day, and a judgment dates from pronouncement, the formal signing being merely ministerial.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2023

Principle established: The establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the conduct and assets of former high-ranking public officials is a valid exercise of constitutional authority.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1921

Principle established: A military officer acting in aid of civil power may use reasonable force to eject a civilian who attempts to force entry into a military-occupied public building in violation of orders.

Lanbuk on the Law of Torts · 1765

Principle established: Every unauthorised entry on another's land is a trespass, even by state officials, unless the law clearly allows it.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1975

Principle established: The terms "prepare" and "endeavour" under treason statutes create two distinct offences that must be charged separately, as endeavouring connotes an overt effort beyond mere preparation.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2023

Principle established: Public officials are subject to investigation by Commissions of Inquiry regarding the lawful acquisition of their assets during their tenure in office.

Kenya · 2026

Principle established: The Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction is limited to matters involving the interpretation or application of the Constitution, and mere invocation of constitutional provisions does not automatically confer such jurisdiction.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1921

Principle established: In the absence of clear evidence of native dispossession and lack of compensation, a historical Crown grant cannot be set aside as conflicting with general instructions to protect native inhabitants.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2023

Principle established: The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction to interpret constitutional provisions regarding the electoral system and the authority of the Electoral Commission to conduct elections under specific systems.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2023

Principle established: The Electoral Commission's power to conduct elections includes the authority to implement constitutional amendments regarding the mode of election, subject to judicial review for constitutionality.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 2018

Principle established: The Supreme Court exercises supervisory jurisdiction over the High Court in matters involving judicial review of rulings and interim orders made during election petition proceedings.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1960

Principle established: A disciplinary tribunal lacks jurisdiction to convict a legal practitioner of misconduct based on an accusation completely different from and inconsistent with the formal charge.