The Sierra Leone Lawyers Society has penned a strongly worded letter to the Chief Justice, calling for formal judicial backing of new guidelines issued to regulate court-ordered executions of judgments.

The letter, dated shortly after a notice was issued on May 6 by the Deputy Master and Registrar, praised the initiative taken by the judiciary to bring order and predictability to the enforcement of judgments—a long-standing concern within legal circles.

Addressed to the Under-Sheriff and all bailiffs, the notice aims to clarify execution procedures, a move the Society describes as timely and in alignment with broader judicial reform efforts.

While commending the initiative, the Lawyers Society urged the Chief Justice to elevate the contents of the notice into a Practice Direction, as provided for under Order 62, Rule 2 of the High Court Rules of 2007.

According to the Society, such a step would give the guidelines the necessary judicial legitimacy and binding legal force, helping to ensure consistency in their application across the country.

The Society also recommended that the Practice Direction should include:A comprehensive fee schedule based on the size and location of properties and the judgment sum involved;Clear definitions of the roles and limits of supervising judges, ensuring they guide the Under-Sheriff’s office without overstepping into appellate functions.

“It is the opinion of the Society that a Practice Direction on this matter will bestow binding judicial effect and legal clarity to the contents of the notice,” the letter stated.

The Lawyers Society further pledged its support to the judiciary in drafting comprehensive guidelines should the Chief Justice consider the recommendation.

This call from one of the legal profession’s most respected bodies highlights the growing push for structured, transparent judicial processes in Sierra Leone’s legal system.