Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda, has assured that the Judiciary is prepared to embrace technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as a tool to enhance access to justice and legal information.
Justice Kamanda made the statement at NaTCA Tower in Southridge, Freetown, while delivering the keynote address at an event held under the theme, “AI, Justice and the Rule of Law.”
The Chief Justice said AI is no longer a distant concept confined to laboratories or technology companies, noting that it is increasingly becoming part of how governments communicate, institutions manage information and citizens access public services.
“It is increasingly becoming part of how governments communicate, how citizens access information, how institutions manage knowledge, and how justice institutions can improve the delivery of justice,” Justice Kamanda said.
He stressed that the Judiciary has a fundamental responsibility to ensure that justice is not only delivered, but is also accessible, understandable and trusted by the people it serves.
According to him, the development of AI tools presents opportunities for judiciaries around the world to improve access to judgments and legal materials, support legal research, strengthen case management systems and make judicial services more accessible to citizens.
Justice Kamanda reaffirmed the Judiciary’s preparedness to embrace technological advancements, while emphasizing that such progress must remain guided by its constitutional and institutional responsibilities.
He said the future justice system must not only be technologically enabled, but should also remain open, accessible, transparent and human-centred, while being firmly anchored in the rule of law.
In his welcome address, Chief Director and Professional Head of the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Mohamed Moumini Jalloh, said AI is rapidly transforming the way governments operate, institutions manage information and citizens access public services.
For Sierra Leone, Jalloh said, the question is no longer whether AI is coming, but how the country can prepare to harness the technology responsibly and inclusively to deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
The Deputy Minister of Justice, Madam Saptieu E. Saccoh, also reaffirmed her Ministry’s commitment to working with relevant institutions to promote the responsible adoption and use of AI.
Meanwhile, UNESCO Director for Inclusion, Policies and Digital Transformation, Guilherme Canela, said UNESCO is focused on training and supporting justice sector professionals in the application of AI tools within courts and tribunals.
Canela said UNESCO has developed guidelines for the use of AI in courts and tribunals, describing them as the first globally oriented ethical and operational framework of their kind.
The discussions formed part of broader efforts to examine the opportunities and responsibilities associated with the use of AI within Sierra Leone’s justice sector, particularly in improving access to information and strengthening the delivery of justice.
