Published: February 21, 2025
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia – The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh, has issued a stern warning to magistrates who have embarked on a nationwide go-slow in protest over unpaid benefits. The magistrates are demanding their full entitlements after justices and judges of the Supreme Court recently received back pay following the controversial salary harmonization process implemented during the George Weah administration.
Reports indicate that Supreme Court Justices received US$60,000 each in arrears, while judges were paid over US$25,000. However, magistrates—who constitute the backbone of Liberia’s judiciary—were conspicuously left out, prompting their decision to lay down their gavels in protest.
In response, the Chief Justice, through the Court Administrator, Cllr. Elizabeth Nelson, issued a directive warning magistrates against abandoning their posts. The statement noted that the Central Administration of the Judiciary had observed that some magisterial courts in Liberia’s leeward counties had been left unattended, calling the action “dereliction of duty” that could lead to severe consequences.
The directive stated that if the allegations are found to be true, magistrates engaging in such conduct could face severe consequences. It further instructed all Circuit Court Judges to closely monitor the attendance of magistrates within their respective jurisdictions and report any unauthorized absences to the Office of the Court Administrator for appropriate action.
The aggrieved magistrates, under the banner of the National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia, declared a nationwide strike beginning February 18, 2025, in protest against what they describe as systemic injustice and discrimination by the judiciary’s leadership. They expressed that their action is rooted in their pursuit of justice, fairness, and respect for the rule of law, particularly concerning their constitutional rights and entitlements.
The magistrates explained that Article 72 of the 1986 Constitution explicitly safeguards the financial independence of judges and magistrates. However, despite a legal challenge from the National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia, the government proceeded with salary cuts, violating constitutional guarantees. While judges and justices have since had their salaries restored and received retroactive payments for twelve months, magistrates were deliberately excluded from the reimbursement process.
They are demanding immediate salary adjustments and back payments to ensure that magistrates receive equitable compensation in line with their judicial counterparts. They insist that the government and judiciary leadership must fully enforce Article 72 without selective application. The financial autonomy of judges and magistrates, they argue, is crucial in maintaining judicial independence and ensuring impartial justice delivery.
Additionally, the striking magistrates are calling for the leadership of the judiciary and government officials to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve their grievances. They believe that the ongoing disparity undermines the credibility of the judiciary and erodes public confidence in the legal system.
The magistrates stressed that their decision to halt court activities is not taken lightly but rather a solemn appeal for justice. They warned that the credibility of the judiciary and public confidence in the legal system are at stake if magistrates continue to be marginalized.
They have reaffirmed their commitment to resuming their duties once their demands are met and their rightful positions within the judiciary are restored. They view their struggle not only as a fight for themselves but as an effort to uphold justice as a fundamental pillar of society.
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