Abstract: | The Local Courts Act (Act No. 20 of 1963) came into force on the 12th of March 1964. The term 'local court' is a new designation for a 'native court'. Previous to the passing of the Act there was in Sierra Leona a dual and parallel system of law together with its administration. One system - called the 'English' system - comprised 'the common law, equity and statutes of general application in England on 1st January 1880 and enactments in force in Sierra Leone' and was administered exclusively by the English courts in the Western Area and the Provinces of Sierra Leone. The other system consisting entirely of native law and custom was administered predominantly by the native courts in the Provinces. The Act does not effect any change in the dual system of the law itself, but it strikes at the gradually decaying root of the parallel system of administration and thereby proceeds a long way along the path of planting an integrated system of administration. Analytically and critically the evolution of the local courts is examined. Notes. |