The right for an individual to have his cause heard. Legal framework The Constitution in section 23 provides for the protection of the right of an individual to have his cause heard. In addition to this, it provides in subsection 7 that an individual should not be charged of an offence which was not a crime at the time it was committed (ex post facto law). General practise Section 23 (7) of the Constitution protects individuals from ex post facto laws. This is a highly debatable area as a case involving drug trafficking in 2008 was questioned by the defence lawyers; they claimed that the crime charged was not a crime at commission. However, being part of The International Community and a party to the United Nations treaty on the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 it could not be argued conclusively that the laws enacted where in fact retroactive as ratification had been done before then. The Constitution establishes the Courts, which shall be independent and impartial tribunals entrusted with the responsibility of dispensing justice. In addition, it recognises the existence of other courts established by law such as the local courts and the court martial. The existence of all these courts provides individuals the opportunity to not only have causes heard, but that such hearings should be done by independent and impartial tribunals. With the enactment of the Local Courts Act 2011 which brings Local Courts under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary, it is hoped that less arbitrary judgements will be passed in these of Customary Law Courts as this is where the majority of Sierra Leoneans seek justice. There are still challenges with the traditional rulers who adjudicate on issues outside of their mandate and in some instances promote injustice especially in the rural areas. As the Local Courts Act 2011 makes provision for mediation, reform measures have started with these traditional rulers to support them in this process. Where an individual whose cause has been heard by the courts is not satisfied with his judgement, his case will be reheard as of right on appeal by the court immediately above the previous court. The Constitution establishes a hierarchy of courts which makes provision for appeals to be heard by each court from the court immediately below it. The Constitution protects Judges from removal from office except if the reason for such removal is incompetence or gross misconduct. As such, judges have a secure tenure. After a number of development partners had intervened to support improved terms and conditions for Judges and Magistrates; the government itself has now stepped in and reviewed the salaries and allowances for all Judges and Magistrates.. This has attracted more legal practitioners to the Bench and, the number of Judges and Magistrates have effectively increased. Though this is a positive development, there is still the need for additional Judges considering the number of cases in the courts, to prevent delays in justice. 11