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By: The People News Online
Monrovia, Liberia — With construction on its long-awaited national headquarters making significant progress, the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) is shifting focus to what is expected to be one of its most consequential annual gatherings in recent history. LNBA President Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah on Monday announced that the Association’s 2025 National Convention will take place in Ganta, Nimba County, amid renewed momentum to strengthen the Bar’s institutional capacity and deepen public trust in the legal system.
Speaking at the Bar’s offices on Ashmun Street, Cllr. Varmah revealed that the ground floor of the multi-million-dollar headquarters complex along the Roberts International Airport highway has been fully completed. He said a detailed project report, including progress updates and next steps, will be presented to members during the convention. The headquarters project, long viewed as a symbol of unity and continuity for the legal community, has faced years of delays and logistical complications.
Despite those challenges, the Bar is now turning attention toward its flagship gathering, scheduled for December 4–7, 2025, at the Wuo Garbe Tarppia Intellectual Hall, Peace Empire Hotel in Ganta. The official opening ceremony is slated for Friday, December 5, at 10:30 a.m., under the theme: “Strengthening the Rule of Law: The Lawyer’s Role in Restoring Public Trust.”
Cllr. Varmah described the upcoming convention as a defining moment for the legal fraternity, emphasizing that the Bar seeks to consolidate national efforts to enhance justice delivery. As part of this commitment, the LNBA will honor judges who delivered exceptional case-disposition performance throughout the year—an initiative he says reflects the Bar’s resolve to support integrity and efficiency in the judiciary.
The keynote address will be delivered by Cllr. Mark M. Marvay, Managing Partner at Beyond Law Chambers and a former member of the Bar’s National Executive Council.
VAT Transition Takes Center Stage at CLE Sessions
A major cornerstone of the four-day event will be the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program, which will provide the mandatory ten credit hours for the 2025 professional year. This year’s CLE will spotlight the country’s transition from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime under the VAT Law of 2024.
The Liberia Revenue Authority’s legal team will lead discussions on:
An introduction to the new VAT Law and MFDP Regulation No. 136, Implementation procedures, including amendments to Chapter 10 of the Revenue Code, A review of court rules recommendations submitted by a Supreme Court-appointed committee
Cllr. Varmah stressed that these sessions are critical to ensuring that legal practitioners are fully prepared for the economic and legal implications of the shift to VAT.
A Convention of Collaboration and Community
Beyond the legal sessions, the gathering will also feature a parade, fraternity engagements, and sports activities on Saturday, December 6—all intended to promote unity and strengthen relationships within the legal community.
As the LNBA’s highest decision-making body, the National Convention serves as a vital forum to shape policy directions and advance meaningful dialogue on Liberia’s rule of law landscape. With the headquarters project gaining momentum and the Bar preparing for a landmark convention in Nimba, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the Association.
