The President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, has rained praises on the Supreme Court’s leadership, headed by the Chief Justice, Her Honor Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, for maintaining the integrity of the Judiciary over the years, observing that the LNBA remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting the rule of law, upholding legal ethics, and ensuring that justice is served for all Liberians. President Varmah noted that the LNBA will continue to work collectively with all stakeholders in advancing the legal system.
Cllr. Varmah stated that the LNBA recognizes the Supreme Court’s commitment to ensuring that justice remains swift, fair, and accessible, pointing out that the extension of the October 2024 Term to address pressing legal matters demonstrates the court’s responsiveness to the nation’s evolving judicial needs. “We commend Her Honor, the Chief Justice, and the Associate Justices for their dedication to clearing the backlog of cases and strengthening the integrity of our judicial system,” Cllr. Varmah noted.
The LNBA President made the statement during the opening of the Supreme Court’s March Term recently. He said, “As we begin the March 2025 Term, the LNBA urges that similar urgency be applied to resolving critical legal issues that directly impact the rights of the people, particularly those concerning access to justice, judicial independence, and adherence to due process.”
He expressed the LNBA’s profound appreciation to Chief Justice Yuoh for reaffirming the Supreme Court’s continued support for the leadership of the Bar. “This reaffirmation strengthens the long-standing relationship between the Bench and the Bar, which remains critical to the fair administration of justice. The Bar will continue to work closely with the Judiciary to promote legal excellence, professional integrity, and the protection of human rights.
“The Bench and the Bar share a symbiotic relationship, essential for the smooth functioning of our legal system. As officers of the court, we, the members of the Bar, pledge to maintain the highest ethical standards in advocacy and legal representation. We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the Bench to address challenges affecting the Judiciary and to ensure that justice remains accessible and efficient for all,” he further observed.
“The Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) acknowledges and agrees with Her Honor, the Chief Justice, that her professional journey at the Supreme Court has been remarkable. As she approaches retirement this year, in compliance with Article 72(b) of the 1986 Constitution, we recognize that this marks her fnal address as Chief Justice. We also note that a new Chief Justice will soon be named.
“The LNBA congratulates Chief Justice Youh on reaching this significant milestone of 70 years and commends her dedicated service to the judiciary and the nation,” he added.
He then called for collaboration with President Joseph Boakai in the process of naming a new Chief Justice, ensuring that the Judiciary remains strong, independent, and committed to the rule of law.
However, Cllr. Varmah pointed out that the recent decision by the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court to withdraw public defense lawyers from magisterial courts has raised serious concerns about access to justice for the poor and vulnerable. According to him, magisterial courts are often the first point of contact for ordinary Liberians seeking justice; as such, removing public defenders from these courts creates an imbalance and places unrepresented individuals at a severe disadvantage.
”While we acknowledge the constraints faced by the Judiciary, the solution cannot be one that effectively denies justice to those who need it most. The principle of fair trial is enshrined in our laws and international commitments. Every accused person, regardless of financial status, deserves legal representation,” he maintained.
To address this challenge, Cllr. Varmah recommended an urgent stakeholder dialogue, where the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, LNBA, and other legal stakeholders would come together to find sustainable solutions that ensure continued legal representation at the magisterial level.
Additionally, he recommended strengthening pro bono legal services, noting that while the LNBA has consistently promoted pro bono services they call on the government to provide greater institutional support to ensure lawyers can offer free representation without financial hardship.
Furthermore, he appealed to the Supreme Court to reconsider its position and explore alternative means of addressing whatever rationale led to this withdrawal.