This book gives a brief account of the background to the dual land tenure system in force in Sierra Leone and explains the reasons why the dualism derived from the different colonial experience of the former Colony and Protectorate of Sierra Leone still persists almost fifty years after the two entities were merged to form a unitary State of Sierra Leone. The book gives an account, for the benefit of both law students and legal practitioners, of the main features of the English derived land law in the Western Area and of the forms of land holding in the Provinces which are governed predominately by customary law. The book also highlights the practical problems that legal practitioners may be confronted with in advising clients wanting to enter into transactions involving land in Sierra Leone and in drafting legal documents for the creation or transfer of interests in land in different parts of the country. By giving an account of developments relating to policy initiatives and by laying bare the achievements and shortcomings of land tenure reform to date, the book aims to stimulate debate on current proposals for reform not only among law students and practitioners of the law but also among policy makers and members of the wider non-legal community It offers a brief but constructive criticism of the dual land tenure system and offers some proposals for reform of the system changes in the light of stated policies.

This publication deals with key issues in land tenure, especially as they relate to food insecurity and rural development situations. Land tenure issues are frequently ignored in rural development interventions, with often long-lasting, negative results. This guide is designed to assist technical officers in governments and civil society in understanding why and how land tenure issues should be considered in rural development projects. It analyses important contexts such as environmental degradation, gender discrimination, and conflicts, where land tenure is currently of critical concern.

Understanding Land Tenure Law contains a commentary on land tenure law in South Africa together with the 3 key pieces ot legislation: the Labour Tenants Act, the Extension ol Security ol Tenure Act and the Prevention ol Illegal Eviction Act. The text explains key definitions in the law and provides useful, practical guidelines on land rights deputes to government, legal practitioners, paralegals and NGOs in the land sector. The relevant case law is explained in an accessible, non-legalistic manner. Understanding Land Tenure Law also sets out the nature and scope ol legal protection available to occupiers of land and labour tenants, with a section on access to the courts, including the Land Claims Court.

Security of land tenure for the urban poor is now a major problem for developing cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This book presents and analyzes the main conclusions of a comparative research programme on land tenure issues. It looks at how solutions can be found and implemented to respond to the demands and needs of the majority of squatters and informal settlements, and analyzes how urban stakeholders, with different social, legal and economic constraints, find innovative and flexible solutions. The book is intended to fill a gap in the literature on comparative research on tenure policies and should be useful to researchers and professionals involved in defining and instigating tenure upgrading policies and programmes.