Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay has taken the helm as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, succeeding the retiring Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh.
Chief Justice Yuoh reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in June and was expected to officially step down in August after a distinguished 12-year tenure on the Supreme Court.
President Joseph Boakai Monday nominated Gbeisay as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court asking the Senate to ‘expeditiously’ handle his confirmation process.
Gbeisay has been serving as an Associate Justice since October 2022, following his previous role as a trial judge after his initial appointment in 2015.
In a nomination letter addressed to the Liberian Senate, President Boakai described Justice Gbeisay as a “distinguished jurist who has demonstrated exemplary integrity, profound legal acumen, and commitment to upholding the rule of law and the
Constitution.”
As the next Chief Justice, Gbeisay will oversee the highest court in Liberia, ensuring the rule of law is upheld, and guiding judicial reforms.
His ascension to Chief Justice comes at a pivotal time for the Liberian judiciary, as it seeks to maintain its independence and credibility in addressing legal matters in the country.
Who is Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay?
PERSONAL PROFILE
His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr. was born unto the union of Mr. Henry P. Quiqui and Madam Yah Domah, on May 3, 1959, in Gonpa City, Nimba County, Republic of Liberia.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr. obtained his high school education and diploma from the Dolo Memorial High School, Sanniquellie City, Nimba County in 1979, and subsequent to that a “B” certificate in Language Art and Social Studies from the Kakata Rural Teacher’s Training Institute (KRTTI), Kakata City, Margibi County in the year 1983. Thereafter, he enrolled at the University of Liberia (UL), in pursuit of further tertiary education where he graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in History of Govt/Public Administration.
Mr. Justice Gbeisay enrolled at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, where he was trained as a lawyer and obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1998 and was subsequently admitted into the Liberia National Bar Association as an Attorney-At-Law in 1998. His Honor was also admitted as Counsellor-At-Law of the Supreme Court Bar in 2002.
PUBLIC & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr. began his public and professional service within the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) where he taught language arts and social studies from 1984 – 1989. He then served as a Research Analyst at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1989 – 1990, then as Director, Claims and Benefits, National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), 1996 – 1999, Legal Counsel, Ministry of Labor, 2001 – 2003 and then Legal Counsel, National Elections Commission (NEC) from 2003 – 2005.
Mr. Justice Gbeisay then began his private legal practice as Managing Partner at the Tiala Law Associates Inc. from 2005 – 2009 at which time he returned to national service as Legal Consultant, Ministry of Justice [MOJ] under the Senior Executive Service Program of the Government of Liberia from 2009 – 2014.
He then returned to his private duties as Managing Partner, Tiala Law Associates Inc. in 2014 from where he was nominated, confirmed and appointed Relieving Judge in 2015, a position he served until his recent appointment as Associate Justice of the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia, in October 2022.
PROFESSIONAL & SOCIAL AFFILIATION
Mr. Justice Gbeisay is married, and he and his wife, are blessed with seven (7) children. He is also a Christian of the United Methodist faith.
Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay has judicial oversight over:
Jurisdiction: The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Grand Bassa County exercises original jurisdiction over all cases as to which no other court has, including jurisdiction in Admiralty. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction to hear appeals from administrative determinations of government agencies and officials in accordance with statutes that provide appeals and from decisions of courts-not-of-record (magisterial) made within the county in which it sits.
Jurisdiction: The 8th Judicial Circuit Court of Nimba County exercises original jurisdiction over all cases as to which no other court has, including jurisdiction in Admiralty. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction to hear appeals from administrative determinations of government agencies and officials in accordance with statutes that provide appeals and from decisions of courts-not-of-record (magisterial) made within the county in which it sits.
Jurisdiction: The 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Bong County exercises original jurisdiction over all cases as to which no other court has, including jurisdiction in Admiralty. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction to hear appeals from administrative determinations of government agencies and officials in accordance with statutes that provide appeals and from decisions of courts-not-of-record (magisterial) made within the county in which it sits.
Jurisdiction: The 10th Judicial Circuit Court of Lofa County exercises original jurisdiction over all cases as to which no other court has, including jurisdiction in Admiralty. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction to hear appeals from administrative determinations of government agencies and officials in accordance with statutes that provide appeals and from decisions of courts-not-of-record (magisterial) made within the county in which it sits.
Article 54(c) of the Constitution stipulates that the chief justice is appointed by the president of Liberia and confirmed by the Senate. Per Article 68, eligibility for the position of chief justice requires that the candidate:
- Be a citizen of Liberia;
- Be of good moral character;
- Have been a counselor of the Supreme Court Bar for at least five years.
Article 71 states that the chief justice “shall hold their offices during good behavior.” According to Article 72(b), the chief justice must retire from office upon reaching the age of 70, though he may remain on the Court long enough to render judgment or perform any judicial duties regarding matters he/she began addressing before reaching that age.
