By Comfort M. Johnson
MONROVIA June 7 (LINA) – The 4th National Judicial Conference has been declared opened as Supreme Court Chief Justice Francis Korkpor disclosed that the role of the Judiciary must remain sacrosanct to ensure adherence to the rule of law and the application of public policy based on existing laws.
“Over the years our courts have continued to carry out their primary function of hearing and fairly applying the law in cases involving those seeking refuge when in distress from unlawful intruders and violators,” he said, adding that there have been challenges in the process.
He, therefore, urged all judges to continue to do so, even in the face of bias and negative reporting, stressing “we must disregard the loud noise from the cynics and remain focused.”
“The rule of law must be fairly applied to provide a framework for the exercise of free choice and equal opportunity; this in turn will give rise to the growth and development of the economy, he noted.
Chief Justice Korkpor pointed out that the laws are generally business friendly; for example, the Investment Act of 2010 forbids the nationalization of private enterprises.
“This has now brought Liberia in line with global best practices with assurances against unjust expropriation,” he said.
Korkpor asserted that concerning investors’ protection under the law, a commercial code and an Act establishing a Commercial Court was passed, giving birth to the first Commercial Court which has been operating since September 2011.
Chief Justice Korkpor indicated that discussions are ongoing to have alternative dispute resolution as a full-fledge part of the justice system in order to hasten the process of Court litigation.
“But despite these achievements certain things still remain to be done so that tangible impacts can be seen on our economy,” he said, noting that “for the next five days, we will involve in serious discussions concerning some key areas in the law that impart our work as judges and social and economic development in our country.”
The National Conference under the theme: “The Law, Public Policy, and the Economy” brings together justices, judges, magistrates, lawyers, financial experts and other relevant stakeholders to discuss burning issues affecting law, public policy and the Liberian economy.
Speaking at the opening of the conference Monday, Chief Justice Korkpor said the law is the system of rules made by a country or community to regulate its members, and the term law can be used broadly and interchangeable with rule of law, Chief Justice Korkpor noted.
He, therefore, welcomed international guests Justice Nicolas Brown- Marke, who is next in rank to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone as the Chief Justice could come but send his associate justice to represent him, in the same vein welcomed Hannibal Uwaifo, President of the African Bar Association who consented to attend this conference.
Meanwhile Chief Justice Korkpor further thanked the President of Liberia, George M. Weah for supporting the conference adding: “We hope that from now on funds will be provided on a regular basic to make the conference an annual event as envisaged by the rules of the Supreme Court.
He also thanked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the American Bar Association (ABA) who provided financial and logistical supports to this conference.
LINA CMJ/PTK
