Sierra Leone is poised to usher in a new era for its justice system on September 16, 2025, as the landmark Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) of 2025 officially comes into effect. This long-awaited legislation replaces a law that governed criminal proceedings for over six decades, introducing sweeping reforms designed to speed up trials, improve fairness, and strengthen accountability.
Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, who coordinated the reform process, described the CPA as “a turning point for Sierra Leone’s justice system.” The Act establishes strict, revolutionary timelines for the entire judicial process, mandating a maximum of 218 days from the filing of a complaint to the delivery of judgment. Under the new law, police investigations must be concluded within 3 to 10 days, pre-trial and committal processes within 28 days, and trials within 180 days. Any case that does not progress to trial within 90 days after investigation must be discharged.
“For the first time, citizens can expect their cases to be concluded within one year. The days of individuals languishing in the courts for over a decade are over,” Dr. Sengeh said. Beyond timelines, the Act signals a shift toward more humane and inclusive justice by introducing provisions for deferred sentencing and community service. Officials state these changes will particularly benefit young people, women, and vulnerable groups.
The implementation of the CPA is part of a broader wave of reforms under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration. In recent years, Sierra Leone has repealed the criminal libel law, abolished the death penalty, enacted the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, and created diversion pathways for children in conflict with the law. To ensure effective enforcement, justice sector actors across the country are now undergoing nationwide training on the new Act.
These comprehensive reforms reinforce Sierra Leone’s growing reputation in global governance and peacebuilding. The country currently holds seats on the United Nations Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council, and chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. This progress is further underscored by Sierra Leone’s ranking among the top five most peaceful countries in Africa, according to the 2025 World Peace Index.