Sierra Leone Judiciary Takes Bold Step: Nationwide Court Sessions Temporarily Suspended for AIDS Awareness Dialogue

November 16, 2023

Sierra Leone Judiciary Takes Proactive Step: Temporarily Suspends Court Sessions for Vital National Dialogue

In a proactive move, the Judiciary of Sierra Leone has announced the suspension of Magistrates’ Courts sitting nationwide on Friday, 17th November 2023. Concurrently, there will be no Court sessions before the High Court in the provinces on the same day. This temporary closure is in support of a two-day consultative dialogue organized by the Judiciary in collaboration with the National Aids Secretariat (NAS) and partners.

Themed "Ending Inequality to end AIDS-Engaging the Judiciary in the National AIDS Response," the event aims to unite Judges, Magistrates, and senior Judiciary staff for a comprehensive discussion on HIV-AIDS prevention, treatment, stigma, and other human rights-related issues. The objective is to sensitize and raise awareness among legal professionals, encouraging their active involvement in the national response to AIDS.

Despite the temporary suspension of some court activities, it's noteworthy that the High Court Registry and other Registries will remain open nationwide. This strategic decision by the Judiciary highlights its commitment to addressing public health issues and involving the legal community in the broader societal response to challenges like HIV-AIDS. Additionally, the official close of the High Court Criminal Session is scheduled for Friday, 17th November 2023, with a Judge presiding over the closing ceremonies, marking a significant moment in the legal calendar.