Monrovia – Judge George Smith, the assigned Circuit Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Civil Law Court, has proposed to the Legislature the establishment of three new divisions within the court to handle the increasing number of cases. This recommendation, made during the opening of the March Term of Court on March 17, 2025, aims to alleviate the overcrowded docket and enhance the efficiency of the court system.
Under the proposal, the Sixth Judicial Circuit would be subdivided into three new assizes: Civil Assize Court “A,” which would focus on ejectments and property-related cases; Civil Assize Court “B,” which would handle actions for damages, equity suits, actions for declaratory judgment, foreclosure, and other special proceedings; and Civil Assize Court “C,” which would serve as the Family Court, dealing specifically with divorce and family-related cases.
Judge Smith stressed that the establishment of these specialized courts is crucial to addressing the growing caseload, particularly in the area of family law. He noted that family-related cases, including 485 divorce and other family matters, far exceed the total number of cases in the court’s property division. In comparison, there were 483 property-related cases, and 364 equity suits, foreclosure actions, and related proceedings, bringing the total number of cases before the court to 1,332.
He also pointed to a long-standing concern voiced by Chief Justice A. Dash Wilson, who highlighted the overcrowded docket in the Civil Law Court, a problem that has persisted since 1963. According to Judge Smith, the increasing population in Montserrado County has contributed to a significant rise in civil cases, making the subdivision of the Sixth Judicial Circuit an urgent necessity.
With this proposal, Judge Smith is urging the Legislature to take action in the interest of ensuring the speedy and effective administration of justice in Liberia. He emphasized that without such a restructuring, the court will continue to struggle with the overwhelming number of cases, which could be addressed more effectively by the creation of these three specialized assizes.
