Thesis · School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (PhD thesis)
Sierra Leone Family Law
H. M. Joko Smart
The first full study of family law in Sierra Leone across its three systems: the general (statutory and common) law, Islamic law and customary law. It covers marriage under statute, Islam and custom, what makes a marriage valid, the rights and duties of spouses (including polygamous households), matrimonial property, divorce and other matrimonial relief, parents and children, and succession to property when someone dies. The customary law chapters draw on the author's own field research, with differences between ethnic groups and localities noted topic by topic.
Written in the 1970s. Much has changed since, including the 2007 gender justice Acts and later reforms. Use it for background and history, and check the current law in the library before relying on it.
Helps with: Family & inheritance, Marriage & divorce, Child custody & maintenance, Probate & succession, Islamic & Sharia law, Customary law & chieftaincy
Read it free on the SOAS repository