The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) Recently Conducted a Specialized Knowledge Sharing Session Designed to Sharpen the Expertise of its Legal Team
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) Recently Conducted a Specialized Knowledge Sharing Session Designed to Sharpen the Expertise of its Legal Team
Cllr. Bobby Livingstone, Program Manager for Legal and Prosecution and Chief Prosecutor, opened the session by stressing the necessity of lifelong learning. He reminded the team that as legal practices shift, lawyers must constantly refine their skills.
A primary focus of his remarks was the need for precision in insurance law. He pointed out that understanding how to post and review insurance bonds, assess financial capacity, and navigate property valuation thresholds is vital for successful prosecution.
Representing the Central Bank of Liberia, Atty. Nathiel Chen Gbaba, Director of the Insurance Department, provided detailed insight into insurance bonds, including property valuation and cash bonds, as well as the solvency status of insurance companies. He discussed the court’s interpretation of Civil Procedure Law 63.2, which requires that a surety on a bond must be either two natural persons or an authorized insurance company. This law requires insurance companies to be properly licensed and authorized to operate, with valid certification. He further explained that sixteen insurance companies are currently licensed by the Central Bank of Liberia and are in good standing. To maintain that status, companies must undergo annual certification of assets and submit audited financial statements to ensure they have the capacity to cover issued bonds. He advised prosecuting lawyers to carefully examine short-term assets when determining whether a bond can be honored.
Mr. James Afif Jaber, Assistant Minister for the Real Estate Tax Division, provided a comprehensive overview of real estate laws and the specific requirements for property valuation, a crucial element when property is used as collateral.
To round out the session, Cllr. G. Moses Paegar of GAP Law Partners led a focused discussion on the craft of legal drafting. He walked the team through the essential elements of preparing high-impact legal memoranda and briefs, offering practical tips to ensure their arguments are both persuasive and legally sound.
In his closing remarks, Atty. Togar Nimely thanked the Commission for investing in the professional growth of its staff. He noted that such initiatives are essential for enhancing the overall effectiveness of the LACC’s legal strategies and ensuring justice is served with the highest level of competence.
