Law Reform Commission, Chandler Institute of Justice Hold Collaborative Dialogue on Possible Governance and Rule of Law Reform Projects

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ADNews-Monrovia,Liberia:The Law Reform Commission (LRC) of Liberia and the Chandler Institute of Justice (CIJ) on Monday, February 23, 2026, held collaborative meeting (dialogue) to explore possible governance and rule of law reform projects, considering important governance and accountability measures initiated by the government of Liberia under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai since January 2024.

The Law Reform Commission (LRC) was established by an Act of the Legislature of Liberia in 2011. It was organized to keep the laws of Liberia and ensure the systematic development and reform, including unification and codification of the laws.

On the other hand, the Chandler Institute of Justice (CIJ) is a non-for-profit organization that partners with governments to strengthen legal and institutional foundations of good governance, CIJ currently supports reform initiatives in several countries, Rwanda, Zambia, South Africa, Eswatini and Malawi, and is committed to providing practical, implementation-focused support grounded in local context,

The CIJ team, comprising of its Executive Director, Ron Chari, Mr. Tim Hanstad – Vice Chair of the Board of the Chandler Institute of Justice and Liness Chikankheni – Senior Legal Advisor (Malawi) are in Liberia, joined by Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala – Expert Legal Consultant on scoping mission that seeks to engage key institutions across the Executive, Legislature and Judicial branches of Government, as well as independent commissions, civil society, academia, and development partners, to better understand reform priorities, institutional challenges, and opportunities for constructive collaboration.

The CIJ team is also exploring potential areas in which CIJ could provide technical support in law reform, institutional strengthening, and governance innovation, consistent with nationally defined priorities.

In keeping with its mission to Liberia, CIJ team on Monday, February 23, 2-26, met with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Law Reform Commission, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, at the LRC offices at Sekou Toure Avenue and the UN Drive Intersection to hold discussions on pertinent issues regarding legal reform.

During the meeting, LRC Chair/CEO, Cllr. Varmah and CIJ delegation exchanged views on ongoing reforms and discussed possible avenues of cooperation. At the discussion, the CIJ team sought the insight and leadership skills of Chairman/CEO Cllr. Varmah, which the CIJ acknowledged as invaluable in shaping a potential reform partnership that is nationally owned, technically sound and aligned with international best practices. The overview of the visit was given by CIJ legal expert and consultant, Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala.

On her part, CIJ’s Senior Legal Advisor (Malawi), Liness Chikankheni outlined key areas where the CIJ can partner with the Law Reform Commission, including training, legislative drafting, policy development, among others. She said the CIJ also supports legislative drafting processes. She reiterated that the CIJ is a partner that supports government initiatives in relations to legal reform and look forward to working with the Law Reform Commission of Liberia.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Law Reform Commission, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah welcomed the CIJ delegation to the LRC and outlined key areas where the commission has been working despite some challenges of the past that in one way or the other impeded its function, but as of now, the commission is recalibrating. He talked about plans that are afoot for the recruitment of competent and average lawyers to beef up the LRC in discharging its mandate to include law review, codification, statutes drafting, legislating drafting, among others.

Cllr. Varmah outlined that the LRC is on board with the CIJ in its plans to assist the commission in key areas that are cardinal to the mandate of the commission, because the LRC is a demand-driven institution that works closely with Legislature. He summarized that there are so many challenges that have bedeviled Liberia’s legal system, indicating training is cardinal for legal reform. He disclosed that the commission needs lot more interventions. Cllr. Varmah applauded President Joseph Boakai’s administration for the level of support being given unlike in the past six years of former President George Weah, where the commission could not implement its programs.

At the Chandler Institute of Justice, they’re dedicated to strengthening the legal institutions that help nations prosper. By partnering with African governments, they are building trusted laws and legal systems that enable societies to thrive and economies to grow.