The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL) has announced the passing of renowned British barrister Courtenay Griffiths, KC, who served as Lead Defence Counsel for former Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor during his landmark war crimes trial.
Griffiths died at the age of 69, though the circumstances of his death have not been disclosed.
He was appointed counsel for Taylor on August 31, 2023, at Taylor’s request. Griffiths had previously served as Lead Counsel from July 2007 until the trial phase concluded in May 2012, when the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) operated in The Hague under a UN mandate.
Griffiths was a prominent legal figure in the United Kingdom, widely recognized for his fierce advocacy, eloquence, and legal acumen. He practiced before the Bar of England and Wales and took on several high-profile criminal cases throughout his distinguished career.
RSCSL Principal Defender Ibrahim Yilla described Griffiths as “unyielding and eloquent beyond measure” in his presentations before the Special Court. RSCSL President Justice Richard Lussick referred to him as “a fine lawyer,” and Registrar Binta Mansaray paid tribute to him, calling him “forceful and kind.” In a brief statement, the RSCSL extended heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who admired his commitment to justice, concluding with, “May he rest in eternal peace.”
The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, based in The Hague, succeeded the original tribunal after its mandate ended in December 2013. It continues to oversee responsibilities such as supervising prison sentences, providing witness protection, preserving archives, and supporting national prosecutions stemming from the Sierra Leone civil war.
Griffiths’ work during Taylor’s trial played a pivotal role in the decade-long pursuit of accountability for crimes committed during the brutal conflicts in West Africa, particularly the Sierra Leonean civil war, where Taylor was found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison and is currently serving his sentence in the United Kingdom.
Griffiths’ legacy is firmly embedded in the history of international criminal justice as a passionate defender, principled legal practitioner, and a formidable courtroom presence during one of Africa’s most significant war crimes trials.ls.
