Know Your Rights
Clear legal information for everyday situations
Start with the problem you are dealing with. The Rights Centre organises A4A's public legal information into practical topics so you can understand common issues, take sensible first steps and recognise when individual legal assistance may be necessary.
Rights information does not replace advice from a lawyer about your individual circumstances.
Rights Centre
Know the issue. Preserve the evidence. Get help early
Understanding basic legal rights can help you recognise unfair treatment and make better decisions when dealing with employers, businesses, landlords, public institutions and law-enforcement authorities.
If your situation is urgent, specific to your circumstances or involves immediate risk, contact A4A or another appropriate authority rather than relying only on general information.
Type a legal issue or everyday problem, such as bail, land, dismissal or family. Results update instantly by checking the title, summary and topic of A4A's published rights guidance. Nothing you type here is submitted as a legal-help request.
30 resourcesGeneral Legal Guidance
Practical first steps for understanding your rights, preserving evidence and knowing when to seek legal help.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
Knowing your basic legal rights can help you recognise unfair treatment, make informed decisions and know when to seek legal assistance.
Read guidanceWhat to Do if Your Rights Are Infringed
Preserve evidence, seek legal advice and report the matter to the appropriate authority where necessary.
Read guidanceWhat to Do if Your Rights Are Infringed Upon
Immediately put evidence together: such as documents, photos, messages, or witnesses' statements, etc. Ensure that all physical or digital evidence is preserved. Seek legal counsel…
Read guidanceUnderstand Your Legal Rights
Understanding your rights helps you against abuse. It protects you wherever you find yourself. The law can seem intricate but knowing your basic legal rights helps you make informe…
Read guidanceThe Right to Record
You have a constitutional right to take a record of the actions of law enforcement officers actively performing their public duties, provided it does not physically obstruct their …
Read guidanceRight to Fair and Timely Pay at Work
Employers must pay you for all hours worked at the legally mandated minimum wage or agreed contract rate.
Read guidanceArrest & Detention
Information about questioning, arrest, detention, searches, legal representation and interactions with law-enforcement authorities.
The Right to Remain Silent
If you are suspected of an offence or being questioned in a criminal matter, understand your position before giving a detailed statement.
Read guidanceProtection Against Unlawful Search
Searches of a person, home, vehicle, device or property should have a lawful basis and may require judicial authority.
Read guidanceThe Right to Legal Representation
If you are detained, invited for questioning, investigated or arrested, ask to speak with a lawyer as early as possible.
Read guidanceRecording Law-Enforcement Activity
Recording an interaction with law enforcement can raise issues of evidence, expression, privacy and public order; do not obstruct officers or place yourself at risk.
Read guidanceThe Right to Remain Silent
You are generally not required to answer invasive questions. Statements can be used against you in court.
Read guidanceWork & Employment
Information about wages, contracts, workplace safety, discrimination, dismissal and fair treatment at work.
Fair and Timely Pay at Work
Workers are entitled to wages due under the law and their employment terms, including applicable minimum-wage protections.
Read guidanceA Safe Working Environment
Workers should be able to raise genuine health and safety concerns without unlawful disadvantage or retaliation.
Read guidanceProtection from Harassment and Discrimination at Work
Employment discrimination, workplace violence and harassment are subject to legal protections in Sierra Leone.
Read guidanceWorkplace Rights, Contracts and Fair Treatment
Workers have protections relating to employment particulars, leave, lawful workplace activity, complaints and fair termination procedures.
Read guidanceA Safe Working Environment
Organizations must provide conditions free from recognizable health hazards, clean water, and necessary protective equipment.
Read guidanceProtection from Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace
You cannot legally be penalised, passed over, or fired based on protected statuses such as gender, race, religion, or nationality.
Read guidanceFreedom at the Workplace
You have the right to a written contract, fair pay, safe conditions, leave, and no unfair dismissal. Employees have the right to discuss workplace conditions, request better wages,…
Read guidanceConsumer & Debt
Guidance on defective goods, consumer remedies, debt collection and related disputes.
Defective Products and Consumer Remedies
Consumers may have rights to repair, replacement or refund when goods are defective, unsafe or fail applicable standards.
Read guidanceFair Debt Collection Practices
Debt recovery should be conducted lawfully; threats, harassment and improper pressure may raise legal concerns.
Read guidanceRight to Defective Product Remedy
Blanket "No Returns" signs do not absolve merchants from selling broken, defective or misleading goods. You often maintain the legal right to a repair, replacement, or refund.
Read guidanceDigital Rights
Guidance about privacy, personal information, devices and digital data.
Housing & Property
Information connected to tenancy, eviction, living conditions, deposits and property-related concerns.
Protection from Arbitrary Eviction
Landlords and tenants should follow the lawful process that applies to the tenancy rather than using self-help measures such as lockouts or removal of belongings.
Read guidanceHabitability and Essential Living Conditions
Serious defects affecting basic living conditions can create legal issues under a tenancy agreement and applicable property law.
Read guidanceSecurity Deposit Protections
Keep clear records of any tenancy deposit, the property's condition and deductions claimed at the end of the tenancy.
Read guidanceRight to Habitability
Property owners must maintain basic living essentials, including functional plumbing, structural integrity, and effective heating or locks.
Read guidanceEquality & Human Rights
Information about equality, non-discrimination and protection of fundamental rights.
Equality and Non-Discrimination
The Constitution and other laws contain protections relating to equality and discriminatory treatment.
Read guidanceRight to Equality and Non-Discrimination
You have the right to equal treatment under the law. No one should discriminate against you because of race, gender, religion, tribe, age, disability, or social status.
Read guidanceFamily & Protection
Guidance connected to domestic violence, child protection and vulnerable-person support.
Need more than information?
Speak to Attorneys 4 All
A4A provides free legal advice and representation to eligible people who cannot afford legal representation. Assistance is subject to an assessment of the matter, eligibility and available resources.