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Lanbuk — Pat in Learning

Customary law and Local Courts

The written law on Local Courts, chieftaincy, customary marriage, inheritance and land, and the judgments that apply it.

Posted By lanbuk.com

Customary law is largely unwritten and differs from one chiefdom and community to another. This page does not state any customary rule. It brings together the written law that governs customary matters, the courts that apply it, and the judgments on it. For the custom of a particular place, ask the Local Court or chiefdom authorities there, and take advice.

Local Courts

“Administratively, Magistrates Courts should be operational in each district, and there should be at least one local court in each of the 149 chiefdoms of Sierra Leone. The Local Courts Act No 10 of 2011, integrates the Local Courts within the Judiciary. … Local Courts administer customary law, and preside over matters of marriage, divorce, succession, and land tenure in the provinces.”

Source: Judiciary of Sierra Leone, Strategic Plan 2016–2021. See also the courts of Sierra Leone.

The written law

Each Act with its own long title. Open an Act for its Parts, any later amendment or repeal, and the full text.

Local Courts

  • The Local Courts Act, 2011 · No. 10 of 2011

    Being an Act to provide for the establishment and operation of Local Courts, the administration of justice in the provinces and for other related matters.

  • The Local Courts (Amendment) Act, 2014 · No. 1 of 2014

    Being an Act to amend the Local Courts Act, 2011.

  • The Local Courts Act, 1963 · No. 20 of 1963

    an Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Local Courts, to provide for the extension of their jurisdiction and for the hearing of appeals from such courts and to make certain incidental and consequential provisions for the administration of justice in the provinces.

  • The Native Courts Ordinance, 1933 · Cap. 8

Chieftaincy

Marriage, family and inheritance

Land

  • Customary Land Rights Act, 2022

    Being an Act to provide for the establishment of the National land Commission, the District Land Commission and other land administrative bodies to secure effective and holistic land administration and to provide for other related matters Govt.

  • National Land Commission Act, 2022

    Being an Act to provide for the establishment of the National land Commission, the District Land Commission and other land administrative bodies to secure effective and holistic land administration and to provide for other related matters Govt.

Judgments

Judgments on Lanbuk classified under these topics, with Lanbuk's one-line statement of the principle where it has been written.

Customary marriageAll 4 judgments

  • Nhende v Zigora (68 of 2025) [2025] ZWSC 68 (10 March 2025)Zimbabwe · 2025

    Property acquired during an unregistered customary law union may be shared based on the principles of a tacit universal partnership, with apportionment reflecting the parties' respective contributions. By lanbuk.com

  • Lahm v Lahm, 1970-71 ALR S.L. 27Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1970-71

    Where parties to a customary marriage purchase property in joint names through substantial joint contributions for their joint provision, the property is held jointly and each spouse shares in sale proceeds. By lanbuk.com

  • Lahm v Lahm (SC 355 of 1768) [1970] SLSC 7 (19 February 1970)Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1970

    Parties to a customary marriage who jointly purchase real property through substantial contributions for their joint lives hold the property jointly and are equally entitled to its proceeds upon sale. By lanbuk.com

  • Suliman v Foday (2 of 1933) [1933] SLSC 2 (20 June 1933)Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1933

    Under Islamic law a valid marriage requires an intention to form a permanent union, so a suitor who substitutes an unlawful cohabitation for the intended marriage cannot recover dowry paid when the woman leaves. By lanbuk.com

Customary land tenureAll 7 judgments

  • Lamin Turay v Yayah Turay (CIVAPP 75/2023) [2026] SLCA 8 (21 July 2026)Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2026

    A party does not lose their beneficial interest in an intestate estate merely by testifying in a local court proceeding regarding that estate. By lanbuk.com

  • Friday v Conteh (CIV APP 13 of 1972) [1973] SLCA 2 (3 April 1973)Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1973

    Because Kroo customary law does not recognize the concept of next of kin, a grant of letters of administration on that basis is invalid and the estate must be administered by the Administrator-General. By lanbuk.com

  • Friday v Conteh, 1972-73 ALR S.L. 288Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1972-73

    Kroo customary law does not recognize the concept of 'next of kin', rendering a grant of letters of administration on that basis void and requiring estate administration by the Administrator-General. By lanbuk.com

  • Brima Kormor v Nicholas Coosah & Anor (CC 20 of 1960) [1961] SLSC 30 (25 May 1961)Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1961

    Transactions between natives in the Protectorate regarding land are governed by native law and custom, which requires the prior consent of relatives, and a tenant at will cannot grant a valid lease. By lanbuk.com

  • Jalloh v R, 1957-60 ALR S.L. 1Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1957-60

    A district commissioner has absolute statutory jurisdiction under the Protectorate Ordinance to determine land disputes, unaffected by the general jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. By lanbuk.com

  • Jalloh v Reginam (WACA CR APP 3 of 1957) [1957] SLCA 1260 (20 March 1957)Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1957

    A district commissioner's statutory authority to decide land disputes in the Protectorate is absolute and independent of urgency or the Supreme Court's concurrent jurisdiction. By lanbuk.com

ChieftaincyAll 8 judgments

Customary law (all)All 91 judgments

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