GBARNGA, Bong County — The Assigned Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga, Judge Joe Barkon, has called for amendments to portions of Liberia’s Judicial Law of 2012, warning that the current process for appointing Stipendiary Magistrates could undermine judicial independence and the fair administration of justice.
Delivering his charge during the formal opening of the May AD 2026 Term of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga, Judge Barkon specifically referenced Chapter 7, Subsection 7.5 of the Judicial Law, which grants the President of Liberia the authority to appoint and reappoint Stipendiary Magistrates for a four-year term and remove them for established cause.
According to Judge Barkon, the existing provision creates the impression that magistrates serve at the will and pleasure of the President, despite functioning directly under the Judiciary Branch of Government. He argued that such an arrangement has the potential to affect the independence and neutrality expected of judicial officers in the discharge of their duties.
The judge maintained that frequent presidential control over the appointment and reappointment of magistrates could expose the judicial system to undue influence and weaken public confidence in the administration of justice. Judge Barkon therefore called for reforms that would place Stipendiary Magistrates under a more independent employment structure similar to that of civil servants and judges.
He noted that such a change would strengthen the Judiciary and allow magistrates to operate without fear, intimidation, or political pressure. His comments come amid ongoing national discussions surrounding judicial reforms, accountability, and the importance of maintaining the separation of powers among the three branches of government.
Legal observers say concerns over judicial independence remain central to Liberia’s democratic governance and the broader effort to strengthen public trust in the country’s justice system.
Reported by: Edwin Khakie Jr
