BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County: In a major step toward judicial reform, Liberia’s judges gathered in Buchanan for a week-long peer-to-peer training session—the first of its kind in more than a decade.
From January 27–30, thirty-five Circuit and Specialized Court Judges from all sixteen judicial circuits attended the Judges Peer-to-Peer Review and Accountability Training, organized by the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Training Institute. The program, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), aimed to strengthen competence, accountability, and access to justice across the country.
Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr. opened the training by reminding judges of the heavy responsibility they carry.
“As judges, the lives and properties of our citizens depend on the quality, fairness, and timeliness of our decisions,” he said.
The training is part of Chief Justice Gbeisay’s broader reform agenda, designed to improve judicial performance, inform future placements, and restore public trust in the courts.
For UNDP, choosing Buchanan as the venue symbolized decentralization and inclusiveness. Robert L. Nyahn, UNDP Coordination Analyst, noted that the peer-to-peer model leverages judges’ experience as the judiciary’s greatest asset and supports the values of the Judiciary’s Strategic Development Plan (2025–2029).
Sessions covered modern legal challenges including cybercrime, trafficking in persons, drug-related offenses, judicial ethics, case management, and expanded magistrate court jurisdiction. Integrity institutions such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman also participated, emphasizing that judicial integrity is the foundation of public trust.
IDLO Country Manager Chinyelumugo Okoh praised the initiative, stating that it advances judicial accountability and supports access to justice.
At the closing ceremony, judges described the training as “timely and impactful.” Judge Peter Gbeneweleh, representing the Chief Justice, reminded participants that the true success of the program will be measured in courtrooms across Liberia.
> “The knowledge and skills acquired must be used to guarantee free, fair, and timely access to justice for all Liberians,” he said.
Though it lasted only four days, the training is expected to have a lasting impact as judges return to their circuits, share knowledge, and support ongoing reforms through the Judicial Training Institute.
For Liberia’s judiciary, the Buchanan gathering was more than a workshop it was a renewed commitment to integrity, accountability, and the rule of law.
