Family Court Bill
Technical review and stakeholder validation of legislation proposing Liberia's first specialised Family Court.
Where this project sits in the reform process
Current recorded stage: Stakeholder Validation. The pathway above is an indicative public view of the reform cycle; individual projects may follow different sequences.
Overview
The proposed Family Court is intended to create a specialised judicial framework for family-related matters. In April 2026, the Law Reform Commission and justice-sector stakeholders carried out consultation and validation work on the draft legislation.
Project scope
- Area of law
- Family & Child Law
- Geographic scope
- National
- People affected
- Families; children; women; survivors of domestic violence; justice-sector users
- Commenced
- 9 April 2026
- Public participation
- See published consultations and project updates
Issue, objectives and review questions
The issueWhy reform is being consideredFamily related disputes are currently handled within general court structures that may not provide the specialised procedures, confidentiality…
Family-related disputes are currently handled within general court structures that may not provide the specialised procedures, confidentiality and support appropriate to sensitive family matters.
ObjectivesWhat the reform seeks to achieveRefine the draft legislation; strengthen access to justice; improve specialised handling of family disputes; protect children and vulnerable…
Refine the draft legislation; strengthen access to justice; improve specialised handling of family disputes; protect children and vulnerable persons; and support efficient, people-centred adjudication.
Key questionsQuestions guiding the reviewWhat jurisdiction should the Family Court exercise? How should child protection, domestic relations and vulnerable person safeguards be…
What jurisdiction should the Family Court exercise? How should child protection, domestic relations and vulnerable-person safeguards be reflected? What institutional arrangements are needed for effective implementation?
Consultations
Project outcome
Stakeholders validated the draft bill in April 2026. The final legislative status should be updated by the Commission as the bill progresses.
