The Association of Trial Judges of Liberia will begin convening its 10th National Trial Judges Conference on Thursday, February 1 to February 3, 2024 at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
According to a release issued by Judge Osman F. Feika, Assigned Circuit Judge; Sixth Civil Law Court, Grand Cape Mount County, the conference will be held under the theme, “The Judiciary and Democracy: Safeguarding Democratic Values in the Legal System, especially during and after Election”.
According to the release, the conference is somewhat different from previous years, because this year’s conference will be conducted with seminar. He disclosed that three prominent justice actors will speak at the seminar.
The release stated that former Chief Justice, His Honor Francis S. Korkpor, Sr., is expected to speak on the first day of the conference on the topic, “Ethical Dilemmas and Professional Conduct for Judges”.
On day two of the conference, Associate Justice Yussif Kaba will speak to the delegates on the topic, “The Role of Judges in Protecting Civil Liberties”. On the last day, Cllr. Felecia Coleman will lecture on the subject, “Criminal Justice Reform and the Sentencing Guidelines”.
The Planning Committee Chair of the conference, Judge Feika, also stated that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Her Honor Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh, will make special remarks as head of the Judiciary branch of government.
He said, as a judge one cannot do away with continued legal education, so the seminar is intended to provide legal education and enhance the knowledge of judges as they dispense justice.
“The longer you are as a judge it is expected that you will learn new ideas and ways of handling cases,” he emphasized.
Judge Feika noted, “We expect delegates from across the country, consisting of magistrates and judges. It is our anticipation that all of the delegates will attend and fully participate in the conference, as it is an opportunity for them to learn new strategies of handling courts matters.”
According to him, the conference will climax with an election of a new corps of officers to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years, and positions to be filled include president, vice president, 1st vice president, vice president for magistrates affairs, secretary general, financial secretary, treasurer and chaplain.
