Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698835131858.pdf (Sierra Leone)
BILL Supplen ent to tb Siet'ra lzor@ Gazelte Extrdinoy VoL CXLX I, No.47 dated sth July, 2O22 THE NATIONAL I/ND COMMTS$OI+ AgL 2or' TABLEOF@NTENT PARPI-PRELIMINARY l. Interpretation PART II-ESTABUSHMENT OF NATIONAL I.AND COMMISSTON 2 Establishment ofNatioral land Commission 3.

Commonseal 4.

Bodd ofDirectors 5.

Functions ofthe Comnission 6.

Tenure ofMembers ofthe Board 7.

Filling ofvacancies & Meetings of the Board 9.

Disclosure of interest 10.

Immunity of Members of the Boad ll.


Remuneration and allowances ofMembers ofrhe Boad lZ Committees ofBoad 13.

Secrefary to the Board 14.

Standing orders PART III_TFIE ROLE OF THE MINISTER AND TIIE MINISTRY 15.

Role of the Minister 16.

Role of the Ministry PART W_TI{E SECRETARIAT OF THE NATIONAL I.AND COMMISSION 17.

S€cretadat 18.

Commissioner4eneml 19.

Removal or suspension of Commissioner{eneral 20.

DeputyComnissioner4eneral 21.


Additional requirement for Commissioner-G€neral Commisioner-General and Depuly I 22 Commissiooers 23.

DeparhenB 24.

Tide Registy Department 25.

Irgal D€pdnent 26.

Cadastral Index Mapping Deparuneff z/, Monitoring and Evaluatiotr Depart aent 2& Corporaro CoBmutricatio.n andAdvocacy Departrnent 29.

Other staff 30- Secondment ofpublic offrcers 31.

Ery€rts 32 Rcrruneration 33. .

Disclosure oflnterest 34.

Pmtection ofofhcers PARTV_DISTRICT LAND COMIVIISSiON 35.
District I-ad Commission 36.

Composition ofDistrict [:nd Commission 37.

Functiom ofthe District Land Commission 38.

Meetings 39.

Disclosurc of intercst ll{).

Immunity of Members of Disticl Land Commission 41.

Secretariat ofDistrict Land Commission ,A Units 43.

Title Registry Unit 44.

Alternative Dispde Resolution Unit 45.

Cadastsal Index Mapping Unit tl6.

Remuneration 47- Pmtection of officers 4& Report PART VI-CHIEFDOM LAND COMT4ITTEE 49.

Chiefdom I-md Committee 50.


Composition ofChiefdom Land Committee 5l .

Functions ofltre Chiefdom Land Committee ltl No.

The National Laad Commission Act 2022 52.

Vesting of commmal land 53.

Accountability for commrmal land t{.

Meetings 55.

Appeal to the Dist'ict t"and Commission PARr VII-TOWN OR V ILLAGE AREA IAND @MI\iIITTEE 56.

Town or VillageArea tand Committee 57.

Composition ofTown or Village Area L:rd Comrnittee 58.

Functions ofthe Town or Village Area Land Committee 59.
Vesting ofcommunal village land @.

Accountability 61.

Meetings 62 Communityrules 63.

Appeal to the Distric,t t and Commission PARI VIII-TTIE NATIONAL I.AND REGETRY 64.

National Lrnd Registry 65.

ChiefRegistrar 66.

Register 67.

District Lmd Registies 68.

Regisrar of District Lmd RegisEy 69.

Public acc€ss 70.

Seal ofRegistry 71.

Other staff to the Register PART X-REGISTRATION OF LAND ST]BJECT TO CTJSTOMARY I..AW ?2 Registration ofland subject to customary law 73.
Immunity oftnnsfer 74, Iand tenure rights 75.

Assistance to rcgister land 76.

Non-registationofland 77.

Cost of registration 78.

Submission of application No.

The Nalionol land Cofimissioi Act 2022 PARTX-MANAGEMENT OF COMMTINAL I-ANDS AND NATURAL RESCXJRCES 79.

Public land &.

Benefits ofcommrmal laud 81.

Rules or bye laws 82 Non-establishment ofTown or Village Area Commisee 83.

Legal action PAKTX.

{.AND DISPUTE E4.

Grievance redress mechanism 85. knd Adj udication Tnlbunal 86.
[.and tenure disputes S/.

Field levelgrievance redress mechanism 8& Apprgaching another grievance mechanism 89.

Deciiions in writing 90.

Operationalgrievance 91.

Complaints PAKT)gl-f INA].ICI,AL PROVISIONS 92 Funds ofthe Commission 98.

Estimates ofincome and expenditure oftte Commission 94.

Books ofaccount 95.

Financial year of Commission 96 Annual report PARIXtr-MISCETTANEOUS PROVISIONS L Regulations 98.

R€peal No.
R€peal No.

2022 Sierra Leone A BILL ENTITLED The National Land Commission Act 2022 Short title.

Being anAct to pmvide for the estrblishment ofthe National land Commission, the District Land Commission snd other l8nd administrative bodies to secure effective atrd holistic land administration and to provide for other related matteN Etecreo by the President and Members ofPadiament in fhis present Parliament assembled.

t 'l Datc of com.

metrcemetrt.


2 No The Notional l,and Commission Act 2022 PARTI-PRELIMTNARY l. ln this Act uDless the context olherwise rcquircs - Interpretation.
"basic nrap" means a flat gaphic represetrtation of the area ofthe earth's surface of interest, depicting topologically true, the boundary fabric of latrded property with unique identifiers, atrd sufficient geographic orientation features, produced by para- surveyors in consultation with local sakeholders in the field, and certified by licenced surveyors, applying a general boundary approach, and with adequate levels of geometric accuracy; "Board" means the Board established under section L. "Chairperson" means the Chairperson ofthe Board; "Chiefdom knd Committee" means the Chiefdom l,and Committee established under section 48; 'Chief Registrar" means the Chief Regisu'a appointed rmder section 64; "Commission" means the National Land Commission established under section 2; "Commissioner4eneral".
me€ns the Commissioner- General appointed under Section l8; "Communal or Community land' means larrd subject to customary law, owned and managed by a community in any ofthe provinces in Sierra Leone and includes- (a) walands; (b) forests; (c) grazing lands; No.
The Nalionol Land Commissiot Act 2022 3 (d) mart€tareas; (e) sacred sites; (f) graveyards; and (g) hmily land that is within tfte coBmunity; community" means any settlement of people in a vitlage, chiefdonl.town or city; "community membel' means a male or fernale who is ordinarily resident in a villagg town or chiefdom and include persons who- (a) were bom in the community; (b) hare married into the community; (c) have moved to the commrmity for any other reasons "customary laDd" means land ound govemed by, or administered under customary law in the provinc€s; I "customary land righs" rneans the full range ofprimry and secondary rights to land under customary law; "customary law" means any nrle orier than a rule of general lau' having the force oflaw in Sierra Leone and by which rights and duties ar6 acquir€d or imposed in accordance with naoraljustice and equity and in accordance with the provisions of the l99l constitution or any other law applying to the prcvinces including any amgndment made to customary law by any enacunenq, "Districr Land Commission " means the District Land Commission established under section 35; 4 No The liatiotsl la d Cam ission llct 2022 "District Registry" means the District Registry estabtished rnder section 66; "etologicaliy sensitive areas" include- (a) wertands; (b) *ildlife habitas; (c) steep slopes; (@ virgin or old growth forest; and (e) any other area designated as sensitive under formal or cusomary law; "family" means a group of persons tacing descent Aom acommon ancesioror
 p€{sons eto have mmried into the family; "farnily land" means land vested in and owned by a family as a unit under customary law and adrninistercd by a family head; "Government land' (also loown as State Land, means (a) lands belonging to the Goveroment by vifiue of any treaty, cession, conventions or agre€ment; (b) lands acquired by or on behalf of the government in the Western Areas, the Provinces or outside thejudsdiction ofsierra Leone for any public purpose ; (c) land acquired under the Public LaId
 Act which incudes - No The National Iand Commission Act 2022 5 (D (D Gi) (iY) (v) (o (vii) shores; beaches; lagoons; creeks; rivers; estuaries ald other places and waters belonging to and acquired by the Govemmenq "investnent" means an enterprise or undertaking for good and services for commercial purposes; "land" include land covered by water, any house, building or structre whatsoev€r and any estate, interest or right in, to or oYer land or rvater; "lease agreement" means a grant of a specifically defined area of lard, h r+Titin& for a tenn ofyea6, and containing an obligadon m give consideration, signed by the lando[aers as lessors and those renting the latrd as lessees; "Minister" means the Midsler respomible for land and "Ministry" shall be construed according$ "paralegal" meam a penon who has completed basic training and acquired key compet€ncies and qualifications in advising clients on the registration ofproperty righs and supporting them inpreparatio oflegal documentation reqtdrcd for land registration, and is authorised by the Cornmission to work as a paralegal for land registation purposes; "para-suryeyor" means a person qualified by educatiorL training or wodi experience to perform cadastral surveyrng work that requires lmowledge 6 Nlr The Ndliorral land Conmission Acl 2022 of surveying concepts, rrapping techniques and demarcation tools and authorised by the Commission to undertake wort as a para-surveyor; "primary rights" means the right to
 exclude, transfer, ftnsact, bequeath, manage and make decisions about the land; "privale land'means land vested in and owned by (a) a community; (b) afrnily; (c) an individual; (d) grow of individuals ;or (e) otter legal entity "public lad' means land reserved, held or used by the govemmeDt, local cormcils or communities for public purposes and fucludes forest reserves, community forests, ndional pa*s, community palc, common grazing fields, wildlife sanctuaries, road reserves and lards carryiry public
 infrastsucture and similar land categories rvhich are firlly protected in tie long-term public and national interest; "public purposes' means - (a) exclusive government use or for general public use; (b) in connection Nith sadtary improvements of any kind including reclamations; (c) in connection wi& the laying out ofany new Coyernment station or the extension or improyement of an1' existing Covernment stationi No.
The Ndtional lanl Cornmission Act 2022 't (d) obtaining control over land contiguous to any port or airporq (e) obtaining control over land{equired for defence purposes; (0 obtaining controlover land required for civil aviation frurposes (g) obtaining controlover land the value ofwhjch witl be enhanced by the constsuction ofany railway, road or other public work or convenience about to be undertaken or provided by the Govemment; "secondary rights" include (a) right ofway; O) right of access to use natural resources located on tand shared by more than one communiry such as permanent or seasonal access rights which include- (i) right to use the land for pastulc or agriculntre; (ii) right to use rees or collect firewood in the forest: (O the right to travel across the land or water ; (iv) the right to drive caftle across an area to obtain waler from a river 8 No.
The iianoaal Larrd Cornmission Act 1.022 ""surveyn means the garhering of data concerning a land parcel in order to determine tlrc retrative position ofbounda4t comers or phpical and cultural features above, oq or beneath the surface ofthe Earth, and document property boundaries and to depict them in a usabte form kno*n as ptan or map, using "fit for purpose" surveying techrologies and participatory methodologies ensuring adequate levels of dara quality for vadations in densify ofseftlement.
parc€l size and topography, (with generally higher degrees ofgeometic accuracy forhigh-vafue, srnall size urban parcels, and generally lower degrees of geometric accuracy for louer-v'alue, larger size rural parcels); "Town or Village tand Comminee" means a Town or Village Area Land Conrmittee established under section 55.

Establish$cnt of Natiooal I-a.d Comroission PART II-€STABLISHMENT OFNATIONAL LA].JD COM\{ISSION 2 (l) There is hereby established a commission o be loo*n as the National knd Commission.
(2) The Commission shall be a bod],corporate with perpetual succession and power to acquire , hold and dispose of property wte&er movable or or immovable , charge fees for sen ices provide4 enter into conFacts, sue and be zued io it corporate name to this Act do all things which a body corporate nray and subj€ct laufrrlly do.

Commoo seal 3.
Commoo seal 3.

(l) The Coomission shall have a common se the affixing of which shall be authenticated by the signatures of - (a) the Chairperson or other member ofthe Board generally or specifically authorised by the Board for that purpose: (b) the Commissioner4eneral or other officer authorised b5, him for that purpose.
No The National l-arul Comntbsion Act 2022 9 (2) Every document purporting to be an instrument executed or issued by or on behalf of the Commission and to b€ sealed with the common seal of &e Commission au&enticated in the maDner stated in subsection (t ) shall be deemed to b€ so efecuted or issued without funher proof unless the contrary is proven- (3) In appropriate caseq the seal may be affixed to documenls outside Siera Leone a (l) The governing body ofthe Commission shall be a Board of Dircctors' Board ofDirestors consisting ofthe following members (a) a Chairperson appointed by the President subject to the approval ofPadiament and sucb person shall possess demonstrable leadership skills ; lmowledge, integrity and proven practical experience in matters relevant to the functions ofthe Commission; O) a representative each from the following Ministry or lnstitution not below the rank of a director- o (o the Minisrry; ministry responsible for environmental afiairs; GD ministy responsi$e for agriculture; (to (v) (vi) ministr.v responsible for mining; ministry responsible for u-ade; ministry responsible for local SOverrmrent; l0 Nc The tlational land Co raission Act 202?
(viD minisay responsible for water resources; (viii) ministry respotrsible for fisheries; G) minisrr* rcspolsible for tourism; (x) National Revenue Authority; (xi) Natioml Investment Board , (ro) Association of Lice.nsed Surveyors; (xiii) Sierra Leone BarAssocialion ; (xfu) Sierra Leone tnstitution of Engineers; (tw) National Council ofParamount Chiefs; C(vi) Civil Society Organisarion dealing with land issues; and O(vii) pri\ate sector dealing with land ilvestment.
@) Members appointed under suFparagraphs (xv) to (xix) ofsubsection (1) shall be appointed by fte Presidetrt subject to the approval of Parliament No.

The National Iand Conmission Acl 2022 l1 (3) At least 309i, ofthe board members shall be women- (,1) The Board shall update the Minister regularly onthe activities of the Commission.
(5) Subject to the Act the Commissiotr shall perform tle following functions- (a) take inveDtory of private, govemment ed public lands; (b) maintain a comprehensive and updated register of goyernment and public lands; (c) establish and maintain a system of registration oftitle to land throughout Sierra kone; (d) set rules and standards for conducting examination for persons wishing to be enrolled as pupil surveyors and licemed surveyors; (e) set standards for the training and accreditation of para-surveyors and s?ecialist paralegls; (Q provide oversight responsibilily in monitoritrg land use pla ning thoughout the €ountry; (g) provide recomnendation on national land use, planning and capability; (h) establish grievance redress mechanisds, including, when necessary, Land Adjudication Tribunals to adjudicate iand title disputes prior to registration oftitle; a No.
The Narionol Land Comnision Act 2022 O raise imds to support the implementatiotr of the fimctions of the Commission; 0) recognise and support civil society orgatrisations assisting communities to register lbeir land; (k) maintain an effective land infomation system for public aDd state lands; (D conduct research that infomE policy design for the management and administration of land across Sierra Leone; and (m) any other function to attain the objects of the Commission.

Tenffr of Mcmbcrs of lhe Bosrd .

6.


O) The Chairperson and members appointed under sub-.paragraph (xv) to (xix) of paragraph (b) of sub.seaion (l) of sec'tion 4 shall hold office for a period of3 years and shall be eligible for reappoinfrient for not more than one term for a period of3 years.
(2) A person shall cease to be a member ofthe Board on any ofthe following grounds- (a) inability to perfonn the functions ofoffice by reason of infimity of mind or body; O) pmven misconduct; (c) convicted and sentenced for al offence involving Saud or dishonestly ; (d) failing to attend tkee consecutile meetings ofdre Board rvitbout reasonable excuse: (e) resignation from office by submiuing a written notice to the hesident.

No.

The Natiohal Land Cornmission Act 2022 l3 7.
(i) lvhere the Chairperson or a member of the Board Filiq of dies, resigns, is removed Aom offtce pursuant to subsection (2) of vsrcio section 6 or is absent from Sierra trone for a continuous lrriod exceeding tbree months - (a) in the case ofthe Chairperson tle members ofthe Board shatl elect one oftheir number to act as Ch'airperson until such time as the Chairperson resunes his offce or another is appointed in her or his stead; and (b) in the case of a member of rhe Board the Chairperson shall arange subjed to AisAct to have another person appointed to the Boad (2) Where a person is appointed as a Chairpenon or a member ofthe Board to fill a vacancy he or she shali hold office for the remainder ofthe term ofthe previous Chairperson or member and shall subject to this Act be eligible for re-appoinhent.
8.

(l) The Board shall meet for the disparch ofits business l,{ertinss of once every six months at such time and place as the Chairperson ft M may determine.
(2) The Chairperson shall preside at every meeting ofthe Board ifpresent and in his absence the members present shall appoitrt a member from among themselves to presid€ at the meeting (3) A majority of the memb€E of tte Boad nBybynotice in writing signed by dlem request the Chairpe.rson to sunmon a sp€cial meeting ofthe Board for the pupose stated in the notic€.
(4) The Chairperson or in his absence the member appoinlcd to act on his behalfshall sunmon a special meeting within -5 da).s ofreceipt of the notice referred to under subsection (3) (5) The quorum at any meeting ofthe Board shall be balf of its menrbership.
14 Nc fhe National lar d Cofinissiotu Act 2n22 (O Any questiotr which fails to be determined by the Board at any of its meetings shall be decided by a majority of the votrs ofthe members present a.trd voting (D tte Ctnirperson or other member presiding shall bave a casting vote v/here there is an equality of votes.
(8) Aly proposal circulated among all members and to in writing by a two-thiids majority of members shall be of agr€ed the same force or effect as a decision made at a duty constituted meeting ofthe Board and shall be incorporated in the minutes ofthe next $rcceeding meetings of the Board: Provided that if a member requires that such proposal be placed before a meeting of the Boar4 this subsection shall not apply to such proposal (9) The Board may co-opt any person to attend and participate in its deliberations on any matter bu such person sball not be entitled to vote on any issue for decision bv the Board.
(10) The Board shall cause minutes ofall its meetings to be taken and signed by the Chairperson and Secretary to the Board and kept in a proper form.

(11) Subject to tlris Act the Board shall r€gulate its own proce€dinBs.
9 (l) A member ofthe Board who has any inlerest whether direct or indLect in any matter to be considered by the Board shalt disclose the naire ofhis interest to the Board and such disclosure shall be recorded ir the minutes ofthe Board and the member shall not take part h anydeliberation or decision oltbe Board relating to that matter.

Disci6ure of Irtercst No.


The Nqtionol Lond Corhrnitsion Act 2022 l5 (2) A member ofthe Board who conEavenes this section commits an offence and shall be liable to b€ removed Aom lhe Boad.

l0 (l) No action orotlrcrproceeding shall lie or be institrted Imeunity of against any membr ofthe Board or member of a Committee of 6e M€mbeIs of Board for-or in respect of atry act or thing done or omifted to be I]d done in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of his frrnctions under this Act.
(2) No member oftte Board shall be personally liable for any debt or obligation ofthe Commission emanating fiom t ansactioDs expressly done ia good faith in the exercise of the membet's fiurctions under this Act.
I l. Members ofthe Board shall receive Board sittins fees as Rcmu.cratioo the Board may determine subject of members of to the apiroval of *1"*** the Minister based on sitting ofother Boards in the public sector 12 (l) The Board may for the discharge of ib fi[ctions columiftecs of M' appoint one or more committees to perform fun&ons determinedby the Board.
(2) A committee shall consis ofmanbers ofthe Board or non-members or botlr as the Board may determine, (3) A committee shall submit a report ofits proceedings to the Board at such time as the Board may determine.
(4) Non -members of the Board appointed to committees under subsection (3) shall be entitled to be paid sitting fees as the Board may determine subject to lhe approval of the Minister for each committee meeting they attend and shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with the discharge of their functions .

16 No.

The National Land Comrnission ,4cl 2022 Sesetary to Bosrd .
13 (l) There shall be a Secretary to &e Board rvho shall be appointed by fte Board subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may determine.

(2) The Secretary shall perform the following functions - (a) the day-to-day af;lairs ofthe Board underdre general supervision of the Comnissioner- Ceaeral; (b) arranging the business of the Board including meetings and recording ofminutes: (c) perfoming any other duties as the Board ma1.. determine.

Standing Orders 14.
Subj€ct to this Act, the Board may make standing orders regul*ing the following - (a) holding ofmeetings , the notices to be given for meetings and the corduct ofproceedings at the meetings ; @) keeping of minutes of meetings and the custody production and inspection of the minutesl (c) custody and the use of the common sea[; (O the rnanner in which cheques shall be issued on behalf of the Commission; (e) any other matter pertaini.ng to rhe int€mal operations or management of the Commission- No.
The National land Corn ission Act 2022 t7 PART IFROLE OFTI.IE MIMSTERANDTHEMINISTRY 15.

(l) The Commission shall be under the general Rolc of the Minister supervision of the Minister.

(2) The Minister chall pmvide poliry guklance and advice ib that the Commission implem€nts to the Commission to eosu€ functions efficiently.

t6.
t6.

The Ministry shall cary out the following firnctions to Rolc of thc ensure that the functions of the Commission ai'e efficiently Mi'ittY implernented- (a) ensure the devohdion of lmd adminisu'aion and management functions to the land admini*:aive bodies established rmder this Acti (b) underake policy making and coordination on land tenure adminissatiotr.
: (c) mobilise resources for the sector; (d) pro,qrde pohcy advocacy, political teadenhip, and public accountability; (e) facilitate tLe implementation of the land policy reform prograrnme to its logical conclusion; (f) monitor and evaluate sector performance, especially with regard to enhanced accountabilit),; and (g) oversee, through the various statutory bodies crealed for the plllpose, the rcguladon of the land-related professions.

18 No.
18 No.

The National Land Commission Acl 2022 PART TV- THE SECRETARLA-T Secretoriat 17.

The Commission shall have a Secrewiat which shall be beaded bya Commissioner- General.

Cr.rEtissiorE - CeEeral lE (1) The Commissioner-General referred to under sedion 17 shall be appoimed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister subject to the approval ofParliament.
@) No person shall be appointed as a Commissioner- General rmless that person- (a) is a formally fi.ained and qualified professional of at least I 0 years stading in a profession or discipline relevant to the functions of the Commission ; (b) has considerable knowledge and experience in land administration matters; and (c) has proven ability in public administration and management (3) The Commissioner -General shall hold office fora ttan one term of four years and may be re- appointed for not mor€ additiooal tenn of four years (4) The Commissioner4eneral shall be responsible for the- (a) implementation of decisions ofthe Board; (b) contot and management of the dayto{ay business of the Commission; (c) administration, organisation and control of the other officers and staff of the Commission; and No.
The Notional land Comtuissioa Ac, 2027, l9 (d) management of the funds , property and business of the Commission.

(5) Two months prior to the commencei ent of the financial year the Commissioner General shall prepare an annual business plan ourlining the investnents required, income to be generated and services to b€ provided in the coming year and shall submit the plan to the Board for its approval.

for any ofthe following reasons; 19.
The Commissioner4eneral shall be removed from office Rcmoval or suspctrsion of Corrlmiss- ioner4eneral (a) inability to perform the fimaions ofhis office due to negligence or infinnity ofmind orbod;5 o) proven misconduct (c) if he becomes bankmpt or insolvent; (o if he is convicted and sentenced for an offence involving fi:aud or dishonesty; (e) if he faik to attend 3 consecutive meetings ofthe Board wilhout reasonable excuse or (D if he resigns from office by forwarding a written notice to the Chairperson .
20.

(t) The Commissiou shall have a Deputy Com@issioner P:p-utv -Ge'eral who shatt be appointel uy--iu.-pi".ru;;;-;; Hfffsimer- r!

'conmendalion ofthe minister subject to the approval ofparliam€nt (2) The qualification of the Comrnissioner-General , the tenure and the removal provisions shall apply to the Deputy Commissioner-Geoeral (3) The Depury Commissioner-General shall be the principal assisrant 1o the Commissioner{eneral.

z) No.
z) No.

The National l,at d Cofimission Act ?022 Additionsl r€quiicmcnts for CdlrmissiorErs Gcneral atrd Deputy 21.

Either the Commissioaer-GeDeral or the Deputy Cmmissioner4eneral shall - (a) be a woman; and (b) have considerable knowledge and experience in customary land mattels.

Commissione.s D- (1) The Commission shall have cmmissioners who shall ftrough a procesi that is Eansparcnt and merit based.
be recruit€d (2) A commissioner shall head any departmeDt esrablished by the Commission Departmcnts B (l) The Ccmmissioner{enaal *all saupthefollowiag deparee s - (a) Title regisEy dcpartment; O) Legal d€paxment; (c) Cadastral index mapping departmenq (d) Monitoring and evaluatiotr depatment (e) Corporate communication and advocacy departnrent; (f) Administration departrnenq and (g) any otber departments the Commission deems necessary for the efficient performance of its fimctions.
Title Registry Dcpartmcnt 24, (l) The Title Registry Departrnent shall be headed bya Commissioner who shall be a legal practitioner ofat least l0 years staoding with proven experience on maEers retating to land- No.
The Narioral Land Comtuission Act 2022 2t (2) The Title Registry Deparalent shall carq/ ou rhe following functions - (a) operate a laod title registry drougEout Sierra LJone; 1b) maintain a.n inventory of public and governmeni lands; (c) maintain a depository (elecaonic or maoual) of all registers, instruments, records and copies ffeating rights and int€resB in land afioss the cauntry as well as encumbrances in or over lan{ (d) permit searches to be made in the records, instruments and registers or copies and provide certified copies ofextrads Aom ttre insruments, records.
registers or copies lr,hen require{ on payment of a prescribed tbe; (e) undertake any other fimctions that may be assigned to it by the Board.

25.
(l) The Legal Department shall be headed by a trgal Commissioner who shalibe a letal practitioner with * leas l0 years DeportEcnt standing with proven experience on matters relaling to land- @) The Legal Deparfrnent shall carry out tte following firnctions- (a) provide oral and writen legal advice and opiniou to $e Boar{ O) represent the Commission in legal or adminisfrative proceedings in which the commission is inrolved; Nc The Natioial land Commission Acl 2022 (c) procure and oversee with the approval ofthe Board, outside legal services as needed from time to time; (d) undertake any other fuoctioDs &at may be assigned to it by the Board.
Cadast al Iodex Nrapping Department 26.
(1) The Cadastral Index Mapping DeparEnent shall be headed by a Commissiooer with al least I 0 lears pmven experience in land mapping, land man€ement and land administation ' @) The Cadastral Index Mapping Deparhent shall cary om dle following fiuctions - (a) develop guidelines for undertaking cadastral mapping throughoul Sierra kone: O) maintain a depository of cadaslral index maps: (c) pennit searches to be made in the cadasEal records and provide certified copies of extracts from such records on palment ofa prescribed fee; (O undertalie aay other fimctions that may be assigned to it by the board \,lonitoring and Evaluatioo Depaltment 27.
(l) The Moniloring and Evaluation Depafttretrt shall be headed by a Commissioner who shall be - (a) a fained and quatified monitoring and ev'aluation specialist having at least [0 years of experience in project or programme monitoring and evaluation; or (b) a trained and qualifred land economist with at least l0 years experience in land management and land administration No, Thi National Land Commission Act 2022 23 (2) The Monitoring and Evaluation D€partment shall carry out the following firnctions- (a) develop programme goals for the commission: (b) assist the various departments and units itr the prcparation ofyearly wort plans; (c) provide ongoing monitoring of Distict Isrd Commissions, Chieftlom Land Committees and Village or Town Arca Land Commithes; (d) prepare departments and unis for periodic evaluations of their progarmes; (e) undertake research on any area of the Commission's mandate or functions; (f) undertake any other functiotrs that may be assigned to it by the Boad 28.
(l) The Corporate, Communication and Departuent *all Corporate be headed by a commissioner who is a qualilied commudcatiotr *&ocacy ,t ut"gst -d policy advocate with at leasi l0 years experieoce l, m$ commutfcation straleg-v and pclicy advocacy- Departm€nt {2) The Corporate Communication atrd Advocacy Departnent shall carry out the follolving fimctions - (a) develop a communication and adrocacy strategy; (b) lead public education and sensitisation proglaErmes; (c) interface with the media; and 21 No, The National land Commission Act 2022 (d) udertake any o&€r functions tbat may be assigned to it by the Board.
Other Staff 29.

Subject to &e approval ofthe Board, tle Commissioner- General shall appoint other staff as he deems necessar) for the efiicient fi.uctioDing of the Commission.

Seoondmrnt of public officers 30.

(1) Public officers may at the instance of the Commissioner-General be seconded or otberwise render assistance to the Commission subject to the approval ofthe Board.
@) The Commissioner{eneral subject to the approval of rte Board may request the withdrawal of the seconded officer *'ho is uaable to carry out assigned i.rnctions in the manner satisfactory to the Commissioner4eneral - Expens etc 31.

Tbe Commissioner{eneral may eng€e the services of exp€rts or advisors to support the work of the Commission .

Relnunemtion Dilclosur€ of Intercst.


32 (l) The salaries and allowances payable and the facilities and privileges available to the Commissioner Ceneral, Depulv Commissioner Gereral Commissioners and staff ofthe Commission shaU be determined by the Bo3rd based on salaries and allowances for professionals in the public sector with the same level of qualification and approved by the Minister 33.
(l) TheCommissioner-General,Deputy Cornrnissioner- General , Commissioners and other members of the Commission n'ho have a direct or fudirect hterest in any mater to be considered by the Commission shall disclose the nature oftheir interest to the Commission and that person shall not take part in aDy deliberation or decision of the Commission relating to that matter.
(2) Proofofa persons failure to comply with subsectiotr (l) shall constiftte misconduct ard shall be a ground for removal from the Cornmission No.

The Ndtional land Cor ntission Act 2022 L5 ;:4.

No officer, employe€ of the Commission or any persotr prorcctiotr actitrg on the direction ofan officer or employee oftLe Commission of offctrs shall be liable in respect ofany matter or thing done by him in good faitb under this Act.
PART \,'_DISTRICT LAND COMMISSION 35 (l) The Commissioo shall provide its sewices in each District l&d distsict and based onthe availability offi.rnds establish branch ofrc€s LommEston to be larcwn as District Land Commission.

(2) The secreaariat referred to in section 17 shall provide any seryices required in atry district without a District Latrd Commission.

36.

(l) Each Disrict Land Commission shall comist of tbe conpositiotr following mernbers u,tro shall reside in their respective Distri*.
ilf$" (a) a District Land iorunissioner who shall be the head ofthe Distria knd Commissim and shall be a person with adequate knowledge in land related mafters; (b) beads of the units of the District Land Commissioa; and (c) support staff.

(2) 'ihe District Land Commissioner and heads of the unis ofthe Disaict Land Commission shall be appointed by the Board (3) The support staff shall be appointed by the Commissioner-General subject to the approval of the Board.
(3) At least 30% of the members of the District lrid Commission shall be women- x Na The Notional La d Comrnission Act 202?

Fudctions of rhe Disrrict Land Cornmission 37.

(l) The object for which the District I-and Commissiol is established is to provide technical support to Chieftlom and other land committes in the management and admhisbation of customar,' land in the respective districts.
(2) Notwithstanding the genemlity of subsection (l) dre District Land Commission shall perform the following firnctious- (a) set up and maintain a comprehensive register ofgovemment and public lands in the district: O) set tP atrd maintain a customary land title registry for the district *tich shal!
contain records ofrights held by commmitiel frmilies and individuals to land in the distrid and records of land transaction in the district (c) issue customary land title or other certitrcates in the appropriate form to holders of registered righrs to land in the districq (d) hire, train and supervise para-sunreyors and specialist paralegals in the disrict or accredit persons wishing to operate as para- surveyo$ or specialist paralegals; (e) deploy para-surveyors and specialisl paralegals in each chiefdom thrcugh the chiefdom land cormnittees to tr-ain and assist communities and families undertaking land registration; (0 utrdertake administrative matters in the district relating to- (i) education and sensitizatior on environmental issues: No, The National Lahd Comrniseion Act 201,2 n (i+ any other functions devolved by the ministry to the localities under &e law relatiDg to local government (g) provide land information services and other administrative functions necessary to facilitate land transaction; (h) coordinate and oversee the work of the Chiefdom land Commitees; (i) co-manage foreshores with the Town or Village fuea land Corunittee in the particular area; tmd $ perform any other firnctions assigDed to it by the Nationat I-and Commission 3& (l) The District I-and Commissioner shall g€side at eveiy M€ctinss meeting ofthe District land Commission ifpresent and in his absence one ofthe Unit heads shall preside.
(2) The Disrrict Land Commission nutymptanypeson to attend and provide technica!

assistanc€ or adyice to the Distric-t Land Commission on any matter.

(3) The Distict Land Commission shall cause minutes of all its meetings fo be taken and signed by the District Land Conulissioner and kept in a proper form- (4) Subject to &isActthe District hndcommission shall regulate its own proceedings.

39.
39.

(l) A member ofthe Disaictland Commission who has Disclosre or Interest any interest wtether direct or indircct in any matter to be cons'dered by the District Land Commission shall disclose the naufe ofhis interest to the Disaict Land Commission and such disclosure sball be recorded in the minutes and rbe member concemed shall not take part in any delibemtion or decision relating to that matter.

a No.
a No.

The National l,awl Conmbsion Act ?022 (2) A member of the District Land Commission who conlravenes this section commits an oftbnce atrd shall be liable to tre rcmoved from the Districr Land Commission .
Ilnmunity of Menlbc,s of District t rrd Commission Secrctsriat of District l,and Commission Units 4 (l) No action or other proc€ shall lie or be instituted "ginqt any member of&e District land Coanmission for or in respect of any act or thing done or omited to be doce in good frith in the exercise or purported exercise ofhis functions under this Act.
€ding Q) No member ofthe DisEict l,asd Commission shall be personally liable for any debt or obligation of the District Land Commission emanating from transactions expressly done in good faith in the exercise of tie memtrEfs functions under this Act 41.

Each District Land Commission shall havea secretariat 42 .
The District Lard Conmissioner shall establish within the Secaetadat the following units - (a) Title Registry Unit; (b) Ahemarive Disput Resolution Unit; (c) Cadastral Index Mapping Unit; (d) any other unirc the Board deems necessary for the efficient performance of its functions in the district.

Title R€gistry Unit 43 .

(l) The Title Registry Unit shall carry our dre following fimctions- (a) maintain an inYentory ofpublic and goYernment lands; No.
The National land Commission Act D (b) maintain a depository (electronic or manual) of all registers, instruments, records and copies creating rights and interests in land as well as encrunbrances in or over lan{ (c) perrnit searches to be made in dre records, instnmlnts and registem or copies and provide certified copies ofextracts from the instruments, records, registers or copies when required, on payment ofa prescribed fee; (d) undertake any other functions that may be asstned to it by the Board Alteaaatire Disprto Rcsolution Unit Cadrst al Indcx Mappirlg Uoit (2) The Title Regisf-vunit shdl be h€ad€d by rhe District [,and Commissioner.
,14.

(1) The Alt€mative Dispute Resolution Unit shall bc responsible for settling disputes within the district (2) The Alternative Dispute Resolution Unit shall beheaded by a legal practitioner of at least I0 yean standing with proven experience in alternative dispute rcsolution.

45.
(l) The Cadastral Index Mapping Unit shall carry out the following f.mctions - (a) maintain a repository ofcadastral index map6 for the district; (b) permit searches to be made in the cadastral records and provide certified copies of extracts from such records on payment ofa prescribed fee; (c) (o train and supewise paftr-surveyols; undenalie any other functions that may b€ assigned to it by the board 30 No The Natioral Inul Commission Acr 2022 (2) The Cadasu'al Index Mapping Unit shall be headed by a person with at least 10 years prover experience in land mapping , land managanent and land administration .
z16 The salaries a-nd allormnces payable and the facilities and privileges available to the Disfict l-a.nd Commissioner, heads of units and Support staff of the District knd Commission shall be determined by the Board based on salaries andallowanies for professionals in dre public secor with the same level ofqualifications subject to the approval oftbe Minist€r.

Protection of Oflicer 47.


The District Land Commissioner, heads ol unit suppon staffor any person acting on the direction of an officer ofthe Diskict I-ed Commission shall not be liable in respect ofany mafier or thing done by hirn in good faith under thisAct Rcport 48.
(l) The Disrict l,and Commission shall submit a report to the Board e\.rery six months outlining 3ctivities uodertaken by the District t and Commission and any otler relevant mafiers to ensu[e ttre elficient implementation of its firnctions in fie Distict C2) The Districtlad Commissioner shallshde &e report with other District hnd Commissioners and other releyant agencies PART VI{HIEFDO\{ LAND COIV{MI TTEES chicfdom 49.
The Commission shall establish in each chieftlom a t nd conmittee to be knorm as the Chiefdorn tand Committe€ Committcc compositioo 50.
(l) Each Chiefdom Land Conmittee shall consist ofthe of cticfdom followine members who shall be resident in the Cbiefdom- Iand Committcc (a) the Paramount Chief of the Chiefdom or fus representative who shall be the Chairpenon oftlrc Chiefclom Land Conrmitteet (b) one land ouner fiom each section of the C.hiefdom nominated by &e Torm or Village Area Land Commiuee in accordance with customary law; and Nq The Netional Land Cofimission Act 2022 3l (c) one land user from each s€ction of the Chiefclom aominated by the Town or Village Area Land Committee in accordance with customary law; (2) At least 30% of the members ofa Chiefdom Laad Committee shall be women.
perform the following fimctions 51.

Subject to this Act a Chiefdom Land Committee sball Functiotrs of thc chicfdod latd committec (a) manage communal chiefdom lands in the chiefdom; (b) enforce rules for the sustainable use ofnatural resources, such as forest\ grazing lands, riven and swamps within the chiefdom; (c) obtain and maintain a facsimile ofregistered customary land riel.
*s for Iand in the chiefdom from the Distict Title Registry; (d) prior to the rcgistration oftitle, adjudicate land title disputes at chieftlom lev€l thrcugb the Iand Adjudication Tribunal established under section 85; (e) levy and frcilitate collection of, and manage all land tar revenues levied by chiefdom authorities; and (0 perform such other functions as the Conrmission may determine.
J2 Vesting of comrdunal Chiofdom land No The National Land Commission Act 2022 5Z Owrcrship and title to commural land in the chiefdom sh.ll b€ vesred in the people of that chiefdom as a commudty to be ma€ed and administered by the Chiefdom l:nd Comrnitee.

Accourlt8bility fot Conmutrity land 53.

(1) Memben ofthe Chiefdom Land Committee shall be accountable to the members of the community for any decision taken in respect ofthe community's land holdings.
(2) The Chiefdom Land Committe€ shall publish and disseminate reports ofis activities and finances on a quarterly basis.

Meetings Y (1) Ihe Chief<lom Land Committee shall determine the frequency and place of meetings bul shall meet at least once every three months.

(2) Notice of each meeting inctuding the proposed agenda shall be widely circulated throughout the chiefdom at least two weeks in advance ofthemeeting.
(3) The Paramount Chief or his representative shall preside at every meeting ofthe Chiefdom Land Committee ifpresent and in his absence one ofthe members shall preside.

(4) Each Member sball have one vote and in dre case of equality ofvotes the Paramount Chiefor his representative or other member presiding shall have a casting vote.
(5) Any question failed to be determined by the Chiefdom l-and Conminee at any of its meeti-ngs shall be decided by two thirds majority of mernbers present (Q The Chiefdom Land Cornndttee may co-opt any person to attend and provide technical assistance or advice to the Committe€ on any matter but such person shall not b€ entitled to vote on any issue for decision by the Chiefdom Land Corrmittee.
(7) The quorum ofa meeting shall be not less than two third of its members present and voting Nou The Natioiol LrBd Commission Act 2022 3l (8) Tf€ Chiefdom Land Committee shall cause minutes ofall its meetings to be taken and signed by the Paramount Chiefor his representative and kept in a proper form.

(9) Subjectto thisAct&e Chiefdom land Committee sball regulate its o\m proceedings.
(10) The minutes ofeach meeting shall be made publicly available at an easily acc€ssed location to ensuIe tran+are[cy, 55 A part)" tlat is dissatisfied with a decision ofthe Chiefdom Appesl to t and Committee may after exhausting all other arailable confli" !

:t#rfl: resolution mechanisms, appeal to the District I-and Commission- P.{Rf \4I_TOWN OR V{LLAGEAREA I3ND COMMITTEE 56.
The Cornmission shall recognise in each to*t or village in the provinces the established Town or Village Area Land Comnitne 57 (1) Each Tor+n or Village area Land Committee shall consist ofthe following mernbers u'ho shall reside intheir respective totns or villages- Toln ,r \EL.B Ifld Co*iLae Cory6ition of Towa or viflagc I.aad Committee (a) torvn or village chief rvho shall be the Chairperson or a representative ofthe chid (b) 4 resident land ouners in the town or village; and (c) 2 resident non-laud ol,rners in the torxn or .glllit' @) Ivlembers refen'ed to under paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsectio[ ( I ) shall be elected by a majority vote of two-thirds 9f &e residents ofthe communilv aged 18 years and above.
Functions of the to\f,n or village land comminge.

No.

The Nationdl Iand Cornmission Act 2022 @) A leas 30olo ofthe members ofa Toum or MllageArea Commi$ee shall be women.
58 (1) Subject to this Act the Tonn or Village area I:nd Committee shall perform the fotlowing fi.ractions - (a) manage communal lands in the town or village on behalfofthe community ; @) enforce rules adopted by the town or village for the sustainable use of land and natural resources; (c) resolve land tenure disputes arising within the community; (d) perfiorm any other firnction assigned by the Commission V6ting of aommuoal Villagc led 59.
Ownership and title to mmmunal land in the town or village s[all be vesred in the people ofthe town or village as a community to be nanaged and ad$inistered by the Town or Village AIea Land Commitree- Accoutability 60.

(1) Memb€rs ofthe Town or VillageArea lrndcommi$ee shall be accountable to the members ofthe community for decisions taken in respect of the commmity's landholding.
(2) The Town or Village Area Land .Committee shall provide to the community on a quarterty basis a written report on its activities and finances.

Meetings 61.

O) The Town or Mllage Area Land Committee shall determine rhe frequency and place of meetings but shall meet at least once every three montfu.

No.

Thz National Land Comrnission Act 2022 35 (2) Notice of each meeting including the proposed agenda shatl be widely circutated tbroughout the tow[ or village at least two week in advance ofthe meeting .
(3) The tovrn or village chiefor his representative shall preside at every meeting ofthe Town or Village Area t-md CorDmittee if present ard in his absence one of.dre members shall preside.

(4) Each Member shall have one vote and in the case of equatity ofvotes fte town or vill€e chiefor his representative or other member presiding shall have a casting vote.
(5) Any question failed to b€ determined by the Town or Yillage Area Land Committee at any of its meetings shall be decided by two thids majority ofmembors present.
(O The Town or Village Area tand Commicee rnay co- opt any person to attend and provide technical assistance or advice to the Committee on any matter but such person shall not be entitled to l/ote on any issue for decision by the Towl or Village Area t and Cormiuee- (7) The quorum ofa meeting sball be not less than two third of is menrbers present and voting (8) The Town or Village Area lrnd Committee shall cause minutes ofall its meetings to be taken and signed by the Tor*n or Village chief or his or her representative and kept in a goper fonn- (9) Subje.rt to this Act the To\rn or Village Area land Committee shall regulate its own proceedings.
(10) The minutes of each meeting sball be made publicty available at an easily accessed location to ensure transparency.

x ComEotrity Rul€s No.

The Nctiout lnhd Conmissiott Act 2022 62 The Town or VillageArea Land Committee shall develop and adopt rules or bye-laws to govem the use of their latrd and natural resourc€s including rules for the prot€ction ofthe environment Appcal to the District Lrrrd Commissioo.

63 .
63 .

A party that is dissatisfied with a decision ofthe Town or VillageArea Land Committee may after exhausting all other available conflict resolution mechanism appeal to the District Land Commissioa.

PART VIII-TIIE NATIONAI LAND REGISTRY National land R€gisrry Chief Rrgistar 64.

The Commission shall establishe a Ndional Land Registry.

65.

(l) The Commissioner in charge ofthe Title Registation tbe ChiefRegistrar Eleparme refered to under section 24 shall b€ and Head ofthe National Land Registry.
(2) The Chief Registrar shall perform the following functions- (a) operates a ladtide registry throughout Siera LeoDe; (b) maintain an inventory of public and government lands; (c) maintain a depository (electronic or manual) ofall registers, instruments and records and copies thereof creating righis and intere$s in land across tte country as well as encumbrances in or over land; (d) pennitsearches to be made in the records, instruments and registers or copies drereof and provide certified copies ofext'acts from such insmmlents, records.
registers or copies thereoF when required, on payment of a prescribed fee.

No The Natianal Innd Commbsion Act 1,022 37 (e) any other fimctioDs assigned by the Board 66.

(l) The Chief Registrdr shall maintain I register to be Red5t ' known as the National Land Register which shall contain all State, Priyate and Cuslomary Laad in Sierra Leone.

(2) The national land rcgister shall be- (a) linked to the modern unifred cadastral s!
'stem; ft) in electronic and paper form; and (b) publicly accessible and searchable (3) Each Registry shall maintain a register which shall contain a record of lmd tenue rights held undo general or customary law including but not limited to the follo$ing- (a) ownership; (b) leasehold and other possessory intercsts; (c) mortgages and other liens; (d) encrunbmnces; or (ei other proprietary, possessory or use rights rerognised under customary law (2) The format ofthe register shall be determined by the Commission.
67.

(l) The Commission shall set up a registry covering each Dist ict lafld district based on the availability of funds *O aJ.

*O fo, ,i'rri"o R"S* (2) The registr-v established under subsection (1) shall be known as the District Registr-y 38 Ne Tlre Nationol l,and Commission Act 2022 C2) WesternArca Urban aDd Westem Area Rual shall be covered by the Commission's registry in Freetown.
(3) The Commission sball by statutory instruments make regulations relatingto requirement for the registratioo of customary' land rights in the Distict Registry 68.

O) The Disuict l:nd Cornrnissioaer shal be the Registrar R€israr of Pgl.
l""d of tbe Disrict tand Registry KcSrsEy ' (2) Where a Distria l,and Commissioner is ],et to be appointed the ChiefRegistrar shall provided the services required (3) The firnctions ofthe Registrar District Land RegistrJ, shall include tie following: (a) managing the Distict Land Registri,: (b) Issuing title deeds, customary land tirle certificates or other documentation that senes as proof of a person's land righq (c) permining searches to be made in the records, instruments and registers or copies thereof and provide certified copies ofexsacs &om such insaumenE, records, registers or copies thereof when required, on payment of a prescribed fee.
(d) any other functions assigned by the Board.

Publia access lo drc Rcgisre!

69.

Subject to this Act information contained in the register shall be rnade accessible to the public by electronic or any other means as the Board may deterrnine Seal of regisrrl- 70.

Each rcgistry shall have an official seal issued by or under the dircction ofthe Registrar No, Tl@ National land Cotn rrission Act 2022 39 71.
The Commissioner€eneral shall appoint other staef for othcf st ff each registry on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine.

PARI D(_REGISTRAT'ION OF CUSTOMARY LAND ]ictm.ion subjc.t ro c{stotrlsry lry 2. .

T"..*q:""ments for registration of customary land sha[ .

.

include the foilorving- .
(a) for family land the following shall be complied \Yirtr - i preparation of a basic map of the land area; t signed boundary harmonisation agreement with neighbouring land owners; iii the planting of trees or other mtural physical makers to delineate the land; (b) for community land the following shall be complied with - i adoption ofcommunity rules to govem the use oftie land area, including mles for the protection of the environment and rules relating to govemance and decision-making, including neg- otiations rvith outsiders; ii.
preparation ofa basic map ofthe land area; iii.

establisbment ofa Village Area land Conrmittee; {0 No The National Land Cor ,rrission -Act 2022 iv- signed boundary harmonisation with neighbouring communities; v. the planting of iees or other natual physical mad(ets to delineate the land (c) for land acquired by individuals the following shall be complied with- i preparation ofa basic map of the land are,; t two signed copies ofsigned instnrment oftransfer Instrumcnt of lrfiLsf.r 73 .
(l) Th€ instnment of transfer referred to under sub- paragnph (ii) ofparagraph (c) of secrion 72 shall be endoned by an authorised member ofthe Chiefdom Land Committee and the Chief A&linistrator of the Disaic!

Council.

(2) An instrument of EaDsfer thal is not signed and endorsed as stipulated under subsection (l) shall not be registered by the Dishict land Cornmission.
(3) The Commission shall establish the maximum fee that an authorised member of the Chiefdom knd Cormfttes and the Chief Administrator of the District Council may charge for endorsement oftre instrument of transfer.

tand tcnurc rigbts 74.

(l) The foltowing registered instruments may serve as prima facie evidence ofa land tenure right- (a) a titte deed; O) a cu$omary lad title cenificate; (c) a lease agreementl (d) a mortgage deed; or No.

l'ne Narional l,and Commissior.


Act 2022 4t (e) any other document memorialising a proprietary or use right under gereral or customa4/ law.

(2) Where the instruments rcferred to rmder subsection (l) are unavailable the Commission shall determine t,?es oforal or landscape based evidence which may serve as prima facie evidence ofa land tenure rights ' (3) Exccpt where dre right or its registrafion was obtain€d by fraud or dishonesty.
earlier registered rights shall be considered sup€rior ro later registered rights.

(4) The Commission shall by Statutary lmtrument make regulations setting out t}e processes for challenging a land right claim or registration of the right on the basis th.i it was obtained by fraud or dishonesq,.

75.

Any family or community wishing to register its land may Assistrtrcc ro request &e iBsistance ofa community specialist paralegal or pam- rEgrstcr lrnd surveyor- 76.
Non-registration of any lard subject to customary Iaw Noa shall not invalidate title or onnersbip ofthe land rEf8rstretio!

7.

(l) The Commission shall determine the cost of cocr of registration and the manner and time frame within whichtitle atrd the rcgisnation various rights and interest in or over customary land shall be registgred (2) The cost of registration of customaqr land shall not be prohibitive.
(3) The rcgistration fee shall be reduced or waived for persons whose monthly income does not exce€d tle minimum monthly rvage.

No.

The Nationdl land Con mission Ac, 2022 (4) The Commission shall determine and periodically review the amount ofthe fee collected from registrants of title to land in Sierra t eone, as well as criteria for fee waivers on the basis offinancial need.

(5) The Commission shall determire the fee for latrd title rcgistratiol in the *bstem Urban and Westem Rural Areas.
Submtsion of Application etc for- n, Tbe Ch.iefdom land Committee shall sen'e as a conduit (a) submission ofapplication to the Distict L,and Commission; @) receiving registered tide documenls from the Disfrict Lard Cornmission :and (c) obtaining information contained in the National I-ed Regisay PartX - Managunent ofCommunal Lands and Natur.rl Rcsources Puhlic land 79.

Communal land in a town or village that falls under rhe carcgory of public land shall be administered by the authorised instihrtiolr.
B€nclits of Communsl Iaad Rules or byc [.aPs.

80.

All the benefits of communal land and natural resources shall belong to the commmity.

81.

(l) Rules or byeJaws adopted by the Chiefdom Land Commitee shall apply to all villages within the chiefdom that have not adopt€d their own bye-laws.

(2) Rules or bye-laws adopted by a Town orVillageArea Land Committ€o on land , narural rcsources and the environment shall have priority of application and enforcement within the partioular village No.
The National land C'omhission Act 2022 82.

Towas or Villages that have not established a Town or Vitlage Area Land Committee shall have their land atrd natural resources maoaged and administered by the Chiefdom Council.

Non- establislrm.nt of losa or \r l4c Arra Committce 83.

(l) The Chiefdom Latrd Cornmittee and the or Town or kgd e.ion Village Area Committee shall have the power to bring and defend legal action i-o respect of their land and mtual resouces.
(2) The Town or VillageArea l-and Committee shall have the fiIst option to bring a legal actiotr.

(3) Where multiple towns or vill€es are atrectd, they may institute legal action individually, jointly or thro.p& the chiefdom.

PARI xI..I-AND DISPUTE U (l) The Comm ission shall establisb a grievance whercby crii.io.

a p€rson can challenge decisions of the Commission in rcspect of mi.. land for which he has a right or claim.
(2) Any grievance redress mechanism established by lhe Commission shall be effective, accessible and affordable to a[ and provide prompt resolution of and enforcement of outcomes of disputes over tenure rights.
(3) Where a person is deprived ofa tand tenure right by the govemment for apublic purpose, compensation shallbe provided to that person irrespective of the resolution provided by any grievance redress mechanism established by the Commission 85- (1) The Commission shall set up within each Chiefdom rana Land Committee a sub-committee to be known as the Land Adjudicdioo Adjudication Tribuml.

Tribunds .

47 No.
Tribunds .

47 No.

The National Innd Cootmission Act 2022 (2) Thel-and Adjudication Tribunal shatl adjudicate land titl€ disputes between the following parties prior to the registration oftide- (a) members ofthe same family; (b) nvo ormore landowning hmilies; (c) landouning families and the Town or V lage Are.

[-and Corrdttee; or (d) two or more Tor4T or Village Area LaDd Committees- (3) Where the dispute involves Chiefdom Land Committees, the District Land Comoission shall serve as the adjudicating body.
(4) The Land Adjudication Tribunal shall coDsist ofthe following three penons- (a) one member ofihe Chiefdom knd Committee who shall senr'e as the Chairperson; and (b) two other persom selected by the Chiefdom knd Commitee.

(-5) At least one of the members refered to under subsection (3) shau be literate and responsible for keeping records ofthe ribunal's proceedings and decisions.

(O At least one of the members referred to under subsection (3) shall be a woman.
(Q The Land Adjudication Tribunal shall ga&er the information from the paiies to the dispure and issue its nec€ssary findings on the validity of a land right within orc month Aom the date the matter is lodged with fte Chiefdom Land Committee by either party.

No.

The Ndtiohal lafid Commissioa Act 2022 45 @ Aly party' dissarisfied with &e findiags ofthe tribunal on the grounds ofabuse ofrules or procedure ma,, appeal to the local court within one week ofthe tribunal's issuance ofis fildings.
(8) Where the tribrunl ftids a land righr to be valid, upon the expiration ofthe ttne period for appeal, &e right shall be entered into the registry by the authorised office and the title doclment issued to the lartrl owner 86 .

0) Land tenure disputes arisi-og within the community lsnd tcnurr shall be referred to the Town or Village Area Land Committee or ttre &Ptr6 Chiefdom land L,and Committee for resolution.
(2) The Towu or Village Area Land Committee and the Chiefdom Land Committee shall address disputes in accordance with their byetaws and shall comply rvitb constif,rtional guarantees on fair hearing and the principles of atural justice.

(3) A party that is dissarisfied with the outcome ofa land Ienure dispute before a Town or Village Area Land Commir€e or Chiefdom Land Committee may appeal to the District Land Commission.
(4) A party to a dispute before the District Land Comrnission that is dissatisfied widr the outcome may appeal to the Magistrate Court (, Any party to a dispute may apply directly to the Ircal Coun or any othe appropriate court for redress.

87.

(l) An investor sball set up field level grievance redr€ss Ficld -lev.l mechanism to address complahts relating to his operations.
flffi* (2) An investor shall - (a) appoint a grievance officer; (b) maintain a grievanc€ registel and 4 No The l;ational Lehd Commission Act 2022 (c) adopt diversified means of receiying complaints (3) Where a member of the communiD' is not satisfied with the result ofthe mechanism set up by an investor he shall take the sarne complaint to another redrcss mechanism.
(4) An inv€storshall cooperate with all community-level land teDure dispute resolution .bodies \i/hen implicated in complaints before these bodies.

(D Memben of a community' shall be free to make a choice as to which forwn to submit their complaints.

Approaching anothar Crievsnca mecharism 88 (l) Where a complaint is before a particular grievance mechanism for redress it shall not at the same time be enquired into by another mecbanism unless tle complaint is discontinued or with&awn.
(2) No adverse inference shall be dra*n €aiDst a party which discontinues or withdraws a complaint from one grievance mechanism and files the same complaint to another grievance m€cbani$L Decisions in wdting 89.

Decision ofany grievance mechanism shall be in a written form and may be enforced by a party tluough legal action in court or complaint to the industry regulator.
Operatioral gdeva[ce Complaints- 90- The Commission shall establish appropriate grievance redress mechanisms, other tban Land Adjudication Trfuunats, to address grie+ances that maJ- arise in the course of its operatiotrs.

91.

Complaints relatingto environme al issues.

nining issues or any issue that is regulated by a specific body may be directed to the industry regulator for redress.

NG The National land Comfiission Act 2022 47 PARI )fi -FIN,qi\*CLA,L PROVISIONS 92.
(l) The fiuds of the Commission shall consist ofthe Futr& ofote corhdissiotr following - (a) monies appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of the Commissiory O) grants, gms or donatioos lo the Commission ganted or donated with the approval ofthe Board; (c) any revenue derived from the sale ofprolrrty , movable or immovable by or on behalf of the Corn nission ; (O any other money or asses received by or made available to the Commission for the purpose of performing its ftmctions under the Act %.
(l) The Commissioner-Geneml shall not later than one mondr before the ertd ofeach financial year prepare and submit to the Board for its approval , estimates ofthe income atrd expendiure ofthe Commission for the next ensuing firancial year and may * any time before the end ofeach financial year, F€pare and submit to the Board for approval any estimates supple.mentary to the estimates for the financial vear.
EstiEstcs of ircom€ !trd expenditure of Cornmission @) The arnuat budget ofthe Commission shall primarily be prepared based on the strategic and annual work plan of the Commission- (3) No expenditure shall be made out ofthe imds ofthe Corxnission unless the expenditure is part of the expendituE approved by the Board under subsection (l) 4S No.
'Ihe Natiohal Land Comn ission Act ?022 Bffrks of accounl 94 (l) The Commission shall keep proper books ofaccount and otter records in rclation to the activities , property and finances of the Commission in a form approved by the Auditor{eneral and shall prepare in respect ofeach financial 1,ear ofthe Commission a financial stalement thich shall include .
(a) balance sheet accounts: (b) income and expenditure accounB; (c) sotnce and application of funds; and (d) finmcial stimates, particdady ofthe amoml ofrevenue [o be colleced iD the ensuing year (2) The accounts of the Commission kept under subsection ( I ) shall be audited by the Auditor General or any auditor appointed by him .
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) the Auditor- General or the auditor appointed by him shall be € titled to haye access to all books of account, vouchers and other financial records ofthe Commission aad to require ay information and explaaation as he may think fit.

(4) The Commission shall provide the Auditor€eneral or the auditor appohted by him with all necessary and appropriate facilities for the examination of the accounts and records of &e Authority.
(5) TheAuditor -Ceneral orthe auditorappoimed byhinr shall submit to the Commission a report on the audited accounts and the financial statement refened to in subsection (l) and shall in his or her report draw attention tG.

i\_o, The Naticnal land Cornmission lct 2022 49 (a) iregularities in the accormts; O) matters that are likely to adversely affect ate operations ofthe Commission ; and (c) other matter which in bis or her opinion ought to be brought to the notice ofthe Commission 95.
(i) The financial year of tte Commission shall be the same as the financial ygar oftbe Govemment S (l) The Commission shall, wi&in 3 monlhs aftertbe end ofthe finaacial year submit to the Minister a reporton the performece of its fimctiom including policies andpogrmme developn€Dt &tring that year of rcporting FinaDoid yeat of Commissioo Amud Report Q) The annual report referred to under subsection (1) shall ioclude the accounts and annual financial stat€metrts prepared under subsecticn (1) ofsection 94 and the report ofthe audit referred to under subsection (5) ofsection 94.
(3) The Minister shall lay copies of the annual report beforc Parliameni within lwo months ater he has received the repon.

PARTXtr_MSCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 97 The Commission after consultation with the Minister may Regutatioos by Statutory Insfrum€nt mal(e rules and regulations to give effe€t to this Act.

!

)8.

The following Aca arc h€reby repealed Repeal (a) the Provinces land Actoap 12;, (b) dr Concessions Act Cap 123.
50 No The National Land Commission Aci 2022 MEMORANDUM OF OBJECTS A^iD REASONS This biI is divided into 13 parts Part I conrains the ifferpetation clause .

This defines words and phrases used tbroughout the bill .

Part tr deals with the establislment of $e National knd Commission.

Clause 2 establishes the National Land Commission as a body corporate wi& all fhe powers ofa body corporate .
Clause 4 provides ftar the goveming body oftrc commission should a Board ofDirectors .It finther provides that at least 309/o ofthe board memb€rship should be wonren- Clause 5 outlines the fiEctions ofthe Commission Part IU desls with the role ofthe minister and the minisry.

Clause I 5 provides that the Minister should provide policy guidance and advice to tte Commission to ensure that the Cornmission implemenls its fimctions effciently.

Part Meals with the secretariat.


Clause 17 provides that the comnission should have a secretariat which shall be headed by a Commissioner-General.

Clause l8 stipulates the qualification ofthe Commissioner-General.

Clause 19 provides for the removal or suspension ofthe Cornmissioner4eneral.

Clause 20 provides for a deputy Commissioner{eneral .

Clause 23 sets out &e departnent that should be established by the Commissioner-General.

Part V deals with the District l^and Commission.


Clause 35 provides ttat the Commission should provide its services in each districr and based on the availability offimds establish branci offic€s to be lorown ft€ District tind Commission.

Clause 36 set outs the composition of the Distiet tand Commission and stipulates that &e head of the District Land Commission should be the District I:nd Commissioner Clause 37 outlines the functions of the District l:nd Commission .
Clause 44 stipulates that each District Land Commission should have a secrearbt .

Clause 42 stipulates the units that should be established within the secretariat Part VI deals with Chiefdom Land Commitees.

Clause 49 stipulates that the Commission should establish in each chiefdom a committee to be horm as the Chiefdom Land Committee.

Clause 50 outlines the No.


The National Ldnd Comfiission Act 2022 5l composition ofttre Chieftlom Land Committee and clause 5 I stipulales lte tmctions of the Chiefdom Land Committee Part VII deals with the Town or Village Area Innd Commitlee Clause 56 stipulares that the Corrnission should establish in eact torm or village a commitlee to bc knorm as the Town or Mllage Area Land Committ€e.
Clause 58 stipulates the fuoctions ofthe Town or Village Area Land Committee Pan VIII deals with the Ndional t and Registry Cl,ase 64 deals withthc Etabli$m€nt of the National Land Registry .

Clause 65 stipulates that the head ofthe National Land Register should be the ChiefRegistrar .

It fi:rther outlines &e fimctions ofthe Chief Regiso-ar.
Clause 67 provides that based on the availability of ftmds the Commission should set up in each district a District land Registry wtich shall be headedby the District Land Commissionerwho shall also be the DistictRegistrar Part D( deals uith land registration .

Clause 72 sets out the requiremert for regislration of land that is s$ject to customary law Part X deals with man€e.meDt of communal land and natural resouroes Part XI deals with settlement of disputes .
Clause 85 stbulales ti2t the Comdssion should establish in each Chiefdom Land Committee an administrative land adjudication m-bunal t_ Part XIi deals with finaneial provisions Part )CII deals 't ith miscellaneous provisions MADE this day of Septenber,202l.

DR TURAD SENESIE ]linkter d Lands, Housing @rd CountD, Plarning FRErmwN, Ssprnom, 202 I PR\.rED aND PttB,-rslED ey rrc GolnRllrET PRNTIIG DrtaKnmar, SE xA I-EoNE G,rzrmr Extt,roon",+rv No.

47 or 5rn Jurv, 2022.