Liberia · Overview
The legal system of Liberia
The only African system derived from United States rather than English law: Liberia was never colonised by a European power, and its courts, pleading style and constitutional structure follow American models. A statutory dual system runs the general law alongside customary courts in the hinterland.
Legal tradition
Liberia belongs to the mixed (american common law and customary law) tradition. The only African system derived from United States rather than English law: Liberia was never colonised by a European power, and its courts, pleading style and constitutional structure follow American models. A statutory dual system runs the general law alongside customary courts in the hinterland.
How power is divided
American-style separation: an executive president, a bicameral legislature of Senate and House of Representatives, and a Supreme Court of five justices.
Where law comes from
- Constitution
- Supreme law; article 2 voids inconsistent acts.
- Statutes
- Acts of the Legislature, codified in the Liberian Code of Laws Revised.
- Common law
- American and English common law as received and adapted.
- Customary law
- Applied in customary courts where not contrary to statute or public policy.
- Regulations
- Executive and agency rulemaking.
The legal profession
Fused; graduates of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law are admitted by the Supreme Court as counsellors-at-law, with the Liberian National Bar Association as the professional body.
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