The Judiciary of Sierra Leone through the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (JLTI), with support from United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has commenced a three-day training for Magistrates from across the country on the adjudication of cases involving children and juveniles in Sierra Leone.
The training, held at the Lia Hotel, Lungi Town in Port Loko District is intended to enhance the skills of Magistrates in adjudicating cases involving children and young persons by taking into consideration the special needs and vulnerability of juveniles when they come in conflict with the law.
Highlighting the training objectives, the deputy chairman of the Judicial and Legal Training Institute, Hon. Justice Reginald Fynn (JA) said the training is to ensure that judicial officers are periodically exposed to continuous professional development which would ensure effective service delivery in the administration of justice.
He said children and young persons are a special category of offenders who require a more result-oriented approach and a particular kind of treatment by judicial officers.
Hon. Justice Fynn added that the training objectives include sentencing and rehabilitation of Juvenile offenders, reflections and contributions on the need to develop sentencing guidelines for children and Juveniles in Sierra Leone, legal framework and child-centered adjudication and the practical approaches and courtroom management for juvenile cases among others.
He lauded the Acting Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Nicholas C. Browne-Marke for what he described as his continuous interest and commitment to the training and professional development of judicial staff amid changing circumstances.
Delivering a statement from UNICEF, the Vice President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monfred Sesay (JA) disclosed that the journey towards a specialized justice system for children has been long and challenging, but that the organization’s perseverance and support has been instrumental in bringing together judicial officers to discuss such a crucial topic.
He said the organization commends the leadership of the Judiciary for their “unwavering commitment” to advancing the rights and justice for all children in Sierra Leone and also essential to the foundation of child rights and child justice in shaping a more just and equitable society for future generations.
“The recent advancements including the plans for the expansion of the Sexual Offences Court and the roll-out of this training are testaments to your commitment to upholding the principles of parens patriae and ensuring that justice is administered with the best interests of the child at heart,” the statement read.
The workshop will cover topics such as diversion programmes and alternatives to detention, cross-examinations and testimonies of child and juvenile witnesses, core principles of juvenile justice and adjudication, effective courtroom management for juvenile cases: challenges and lessons and the role of social service and probation officers among others.
The training is set to benefit over 28 Magistrates who are at the heart of handling cases of juvenile as a court of first instance.
