A major validation of the Draft Bill for the establishment of the first ever proposed Family Court in Liberia has taken place in Monrovia amongst stakeholders with the Law Reform Commission (LRC) in collaboration with the Judiciary championing the exercise. The LRC is the lead law reform institution in Liberia in keeping with its statutory mandate. The validation was coordinated by the Vice Chairperson of the Law Reform Commission, Cllr. Felicia V. Coleman, who is also former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia.
The gathering brought together key legal institutions, including the Liberia National Bar Association, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia, the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Legal Advisor to the President, members of the Senate and House of Representatives Judiciary Committees, as well as civil society organizations, UN Women, UNDP, and other development partners.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Associate Justice Her Honor Ceaineh D. Clinton Johnson graced the Validation and offered the support of the judiciary to the process.
This initiative is expected to become one of the most important legal reforms in Liberia. For many years, family-related cases have been handled within a justice system that is not specifically designed to address unique vulnerabilities such as child custody, domestic relations, maintenance, protection, inheritance and overall family welfare.
The validation process marks a critical step in strengthening the judicial system by ensuring that family-related cases are handled with the care and sensitivity they require. “I urge all of you to engage fully, critically, and constructively. Let us carefully examine every position,” iterated Cllr. Bornor Varmah, Chairperson and CEO of the Liberia Law Reform Commission.
He described the validation process as a “defining moment in the evolution of justice in Liberia. For decades, families have navigated a justice system not specifically designed to address their unique vulnerabilities. Today, we say that must change—and it will change.”
The Law Reform Commission Chairperson explained that the proposed court would handle matters such as child custody, domestic relations, maintenance, protection, and broader family welfare issues—areas that are currently addressed within general court structures. He emphasized that the establishment of a Family Court represents more than institutional reform, calling it “a paradigm shift” toward a justice system that is specialized, people-centered, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable populations. “It means a child’s voice will be better heard. It means survivors of domestic violence will encounter a system designed to protect them, not intimidate them,” he noted,
The Law Reform Commission Chairperson further revealed that the draft bill had already undergone stakeholder consultations on April 9, 2026, where input from various actors helped strengthen the document ahead of the validation session.
Speaking on behalf of the Liberia National Bar Association, Cllr. Moriah Yeakula Korkpor stressed the need for a family court in Liberia cannot be overemphasized, noting “the court should not function solely as a civil law court but should also have limited jurisdiction to handle certain criminal matters related to family issues, such as persistent non-support and neglect. Access to justice is important, and it also ensures the speedy handling of cases before the court.
Other speakers from the Ministry of Justice, Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia, Ministry of Gender and Children Protection, the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia, Office for the Establishment of Economic and War Crimes Court for Liberia, National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Ministry of Finance and Development and Office of the Legal Advisor to the President graced the occasion and participated in the validation exercise.
Delivering a special statement during the gathering, the Chief Justice of Liberia, His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay described the validation of the draft Family Court bill proposal as a defining moment in the country’s judicial history. “This project is a key part of our reform agenda. We are committed to reviewing, improving, and supporting the validation process as we work to reduce the heavy burden on our courts,” the Chief Justice said.
He further explained that this initiative will improve access to justice, promote faster trials, and ensure fair and timely decisions in family-related cases, including divorce, paternity, and child custody matters. He emphasized the establishment of a Family Court was a commitment made during his confirmation hearings before the Liberian Senate.
“This is a defining moment…the validation of the Family Court document marks a significant step toward ensuring greater access to justice for our mothers, our wives, our children, and families across Liberia.”
He disclosed that a special committee, headed by Juvenile Court Judge Lucia Anderson and comprising representatives from the Ministry of Gender, the LNBA, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), and civil society groups, was constituted to spearhead the drafting process.
According to him, the committee produced a comprehensive draft, which was subsequently forwarded to the Law Reform Commission of Liberia for further refinement in line with its statutory mandate.
The establishment of a family court represents more than just a legal reform. It is a shift toward a justice system that is responsive, specialized, and focused on the needs of the people.
This initiative will help protect the rights of children, support survivors of domestic violence, and provide families in crisis with a system that is fair, compassionate, and efficient. Ultimately, it aims to restore dignity in the handling of family-related legal matters in Liberia.
The proposed legislation is grounded in constitutional provisions, including Articles 34(e) and 65 of the 1986 Constitution, which empower the Legislature to establish subordinate courts and the Judiciary to interpret laws.
The preamble of the draft bill highlights the persistent challenges families face within the current legal system, noting that existing courts—such as Magisterial, Probate, and Circuit Courts—have historically handled family-related matters without specialized structures.
Stakeholders believe the establishment of a Family Court will not only enhance judicial efficiency and reduce case backlogs but also provide a more holistic approach to resolving disputes by integrating legal and psychosocial support mechanisms.
If enacted by the Legislature, the Family Court is expected to significantly improve access to justice, ensure faster resolution of family disputes, and strengthen the protection of children and vulnerable individuals.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Cllr. Massa Jallabah who heads the Gender and Human Rights Section at the Law Reform Commission lauded the stakeholders, the judiciary, lawyers and professional staff of the Commission and the civil society for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the validation became fruitful.
She noted the Commission remains grateful for the collaboration and the support that will lead to the establishment of Liberia’s first ever Family Court.
