– As LNBA President Varmah Commits Partnership
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I
The newly seated Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, His Honor, Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay has declared sweeping reforms aimed at overhauling Liberia’s Judiciary, warning judges and lawyers that negligence, malpractice, and corruption will not be tolerated under his leadership.
Delivering his official seating remarks at the Supreme Court alongside Justice Boakai Kanneh, Chief Justice Gbeisay on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, vowed to make the courts more disciplined, efficient, and credible.
“We pledge to administer justice to all without fear or favor in line with our Constitution and statutory laws in an effort to protect the rights of our people and safeguard our democracy,” he said.
The Chief Justice announced the transformation of the Inspectorate Division into a Judiciary Monitoring and Evaluation Division that will regularly assess courts across the country. He explained that the Division will collect data on the performance of judges and magistrates, including the number of cases handled and their outcomes. “We need to grade our judges and make the Judiciary a performance-based institution,” he stressed.
In a sharp rebuke to some judges, Gbeisay condemned habitual absenteeism and lack of seriousness on the bench. “Some of our judges are not committed to duty. They fail to report to work on time, they come at will and leave at will, and perform below standard. Our job is not a part-time job. Some judges even believe that a judge is untouchable or above the law. Such attitude and mindset are totally wrong and unacceptable; they will have no place under our watch.”
He continued: “I ask all judges to conduct themselves accordingly so that the friendship I have with them will remain intact, otherwise we will take appropriate actions. My administration intends to leave a legacy of discipline.”
The Chief Justice also stressed the importance of quality rulings that reflect sound legal reasoning. “We will no longer accept rulings of judges whose only reliance is found in the phrase ‘in the mind of the court or law writers have said.’ These are not authorities to rely on. Judges must read extensively so that they will know and apply the relevant laws in support of the decisions they make.”
Turning to lawyers, Gbeisay raised alarm over misconduct in legal practice, citing unethical practices by young attorneys. “We have observed many missteps and sometimes outright legal malpractices, especially by young lawyers who try to invent or manufacture evidence on behalf of their clients, where there is no justiciable contention. This practice will no longer be tolerated.”
He further criticized the use of remedial writs to deliberately delay cases, saying it contributes to the heavy backlog on court dockets, including at the Supreme Court. “When this happens, party litigants become the ultimate victims, and the public blames the Judiciary. This practice will no longer be tolerated,” he said firmly.
The Chief Justice also decried the rise of one-man law firms that hinder court processes. “Under such practice, a single lawyer establishes a law office. Some do not even have an office attendant. When the lone lawyer is out of the office, there is no one available to receive precepts from the courts or documents from opposing lawyers. And when that lawyer travels out of the country, he or she often informs the courts, including the Supreme Court, to postpone all cases pending their return. This is a bad practice that hinders the administration of justice. We will decisively address this unwholesome practice. Maybe a Judicial Order would suffice.”
On corruption, he assured the public of zero tolerance. “During my tenure, there will be zero tolerance for corruption and ethical malpractice by judicial actors, whether a judge, a lawyer, or support staff. We will work to ensure that recommendations emanating from complaints against judges and lawyers are decisively and promptly acted upon.”
He pledged to advocate for better benefits for judges while ensuring accountability: “I am aware that the salaries and benefits of judges are still inadequate for our judges. But I am equally aware that Liberian judges are not among the least paid judges in West Africa. We will demand our rights under the Constitution and ensure that the Judiciary is no longer a stepchild of the other two branches of Government. We are co-equal and must be seen as co-equal in all decisions, including financial administration.”
Meanwhile, the President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), Cllr. Bonor M. Varmah, pledged the Bar’s support to Chief Justice Gbeisay and the Supreme Court, affirming confidence in his leadership.
“The Bar is equally confident in your capacity to lead with distinction. Your careers—marked by service, integrity, and resilience—have prepared you for this sacred trust. We believe your stewardship on this Bench will inspire renewed public confidence in the justice system and strengthen the very foundation of peace and stability in our country,” Cllr. Varmah said.
He added: “As National President of the Liberian National Bar Association, I reaffirm our commitment to working with the Court in partnership. The Bar shall continue to support judicial reform, promote continuing legal education, enforce ethical practice among lawyers, and advocate for improved access to justice for every Liberian, regardless of status or means. Together, the Bench and Bar can advance justice as a living reality and not a distant aspiration.”
The Bar leader further urged the Chief Justice to remain steadfast: “Your Honors, as you begin this noble journey, let fairness be your compass, humility your guide, courage your shield, and fidelity to the Constitution your constant anchor.”
Concluding his own address, Chief Justice Gbeisay reassured Liberians of a judiciary that serves as a “true beacon of hope” for justice. “Everyone who is injured and distressed can rest assured that he or she will find justice in our courts. Here, we only look at the facts, evidence, and the applicable laws as our guards—nothing more, and nothing less.”
