By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone’s Judiciary officially opened the 2025/2026 Judicial Year on Sunday28th September 2025 with a solemn procession and Assize Service at St. George’s Cathedral in Freetown, led by Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda.
The special service, held under the theme: “Walking in the Fear of the Lord,” drew a large congregation that included members of the Bench, Bar, Government officials and the wider public. The occasion blended tradition and faith, reminding judicial officers of their duty to dispense justice with integrity, reverence and accountability.
The Assize Service marks the beginning of the new legal calendar in Sierra Leone, a practice inherited from the English legal system, where such ceremonies once accompanied the arrival of travelling judges to county courts. Today, it serves as a symbolic call for divine guidance in the administration of justice.
Alfred Kamanda Esq., Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, described this year’s service as the most remarkable he has attended since being called to the Bar.
“This is the best Assize Service, well organized and well attended by people from all walks of life. The turnout from lawyers was particularly impressive,” he stated.
Alfred Kamanda, a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court attached to Brewah & Co. Solicitors, commended Chief Justice Komba Kamanda for his leadership and ongoing reforms. He expressed optimism that the new Judicial Year, ushered in alongside the implementation of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024, would deliver long-awaited improvements in justice delivery.
Several Judges in attendance echoed similar sentiments, stressing that the reforms would strengthen the rule of law and ensure greater efficiency within the courts.
The Assize Service remains an important annual tradition across Commonwealth nations, including Sierra Leone. While historically an “assize” referred to court sessions conducted by itinerant judges in England and Wales, the modern ceremony has evolved into a religious service asking for divine blessings on the legal year.
In Sierra Leone, the service continues to highlight the judiciary’s enduring link to this tradition, while adapting to contemporary needs. The event typically includes prayers, thanksgiving, hymns and intercession for the nation, reinforcing the values of justice, brotherhood and peace.
At the end of the Thanksgiving Service, Chief Justice Komba Kamanda was joined by Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature, Magistrates and senior management of the Judiciary to thank congregants for their participation. The procession, which featured Justices and staff in full ceremonial attire, further underscored the solemnity and dignity of the occasion.
The Chief Justice’s leadership, particularly in pursuing reforms such as the implementation of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024, has been widely welcomed within the legal profession. The Act is expected to address longstanding bottlenecks in the justice system, including trial delays and inefficiencies in case management.
By combining historical tradition with a focus on present-day reforms, the Judiciary used the opening ceremony to send a strong signal of its renewed commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability.
Across the Commonwealth, Assize Services serve not only as religious observances but also as cultural and professional milestones. In Sierra Leone, the service underscores the judiciary’s responsibility to the people while invoking divine guidance for those tasked with interpreting and upholding the law.
As the 2025/2026 Judicial Year begins, the ceremony at St. George’s Cathedral reaffirmed the role of the judiciary as a guardian of justice and a pillar of national stability. By opening the legal year in prayer and thanksgiving, judicial officers and legal practitioners alike signaled their readiness to serve the people of Sierra Leone with integrity and impartiality.
