Country Profile: Sierra Leone

This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Republic of Sierra Leone, based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under Sierra Leone's Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status. 

Country Background

Sierra Leone is a country located in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean. It is bounded by Guinea and Liberia. The capital of Sierra Leone is Freetown. The official language is English. The country's population in 2017 was approximately 6.2 million. Sierra Leone is a predominantly Muslim country, with about 60% of the population Muslim, 30% indigenous beliefs, and 10% Christian. Sierra Leone is a member state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Constitution & Legal Structure

Sierra Leone is referred to as a presidential republic, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The current Constitution of Sierra Leone was adopted in 1991, reinstated in 1996, and amended most recently in 2008. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legal system of Sierra Leone is a mixed legal system of English common law and customary law.  

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Sierra Leone.  

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Sierra Leone. 

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Sierra Leone has no official school of Islamic law. The majority of the Muslim population in the country is Sunnī (adhering to the Mālikī school).

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

Unofficial Databases

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].