10. Magistrates' courts, local courts and courts-martial

Magistrates' Courts

Establishment: Magistrates' Courts are set up under the Courts Act 1965 for districts across the country.

Jurisdiction: They try summary offences and civil claims within monetary limits fixed by law. Appeals go to the High Court.

Local courts

Local Courts Act 2011: Local courts apply customary law and certain statutes to persons subject to them, within limits set by the Act. They deal with matters such as customary marriage, debts, minor land disputes and minor offences.

Transfer: A case can be transferred from a local court to a Magistrates' Court or another local court where justice requires.

District Appeal Court: Under section 40 an appeal from a local court goes to the District Appeal Court, a magistrate sitting with two assessors who advise on customary law. The decision belongs to the magistrate alone.

Local Appeals Division: Under section 41 a further appeal lies to the Local Appeals Division of the High Court, a High Court Judge sitting with two assessors. From there appeals go to the Court of Appeal.

Courts-martial

Military justice: Courts-martial try members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces for service offences under the Armed Forces legislation. Section 171 of the Constitution defines "Court" to include a court-martial, and their decisions are subject to the supervisory jurisdiction of the superior courts.

Other tribunals

Special bodies: Tribunals such as industrial and rent tribunals decide particular disputes. They are subject to supervision by the High Court and Supreme Court.