In simple terms
Much of Sierra Leone's criminal law is still scattered across old English statutes received in 1880 and later. Reform has been slow, but the last two decades have brought important changes.
The problem
Scattered law: Much of the substantive criminal law is found in received English statutes, such as the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and the Larceny Act 1916, which England itself has long replaced.
Customary crimes: Customary offences are not codified.
The machinery of reform
Law Reform Commission Act 1975: The Commission keeps the laws under review with a view to reforming, consolidating and codifying them. Its powers are recommendatory.
Codification: Codification is widely regarded as the most effective way to modernise criminal law.
Recent reforms
Sexual Offences Act 2012 and 2019 amendment: A modern code of sexual offences.
Anti-Corruption Act 2008: A modern corruption code.
Public Order (Amendment) Act 2020: Repealed criminal and seditious .
Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021: Abolished capital punishment.
Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021: Created computer and online offences.
Criminal Procedure Act 2024: Replaced the 1965 Act, in force from 16 September 2025.
What remains
Agenda: Codifying customary crimes and replacing the old English statutes on offences against the person and property remain the main tasks.
Memory map
Reform of the criminal law
The problem
- Scattered law
- Customary crimes
The machinery of reform
- Law Reform Commission Act 1975
- Codification
Recent reforms
- Sexual Offences Act 2012 and 2019 amendment
- Anti-Corruption Act 2008
- Public Order (Amendment) Act 2020
- Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021
Key points
- Much substantive criminal law is still in old…
- The Law Reform Commission recommends
- Key recent reforms
Key terms
- Defamation
- Libel
Take-home points
- Much substantive criminal law is still in old received English statutes.
- The Law Reform Commission recommends; it does not legislate.
- Key recent reforms: Sexual Offences Act 2012, Anti-Corruption Act 2008, repeal of criminal libel 2020, abolition of the death penalty 2021, Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
Related case law
Full judgments on Lanbuk on the same areas of law.
See also
Lecture notes on this subject
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