About The Department

The Gambia Maritime Administration has a dedicated directorate on legal affairs. The department is headed by a seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience and qualifications in the maritime industry. The director is supported by two legal managers and two legal clerks who oversee the administrative work of the department. The roles and responsibilities of the department are defined by the overall functions of the Administration as outlined in the Gambia Maritime Administration Act and regulations approved and gazetted by the Minister.

Foremost, the directorate undertakes the following:

• Provide legal services to the Board of Directors of the Administration;
• Provide legal support and services to the Director General and management;
• Draft and guide the process of development of maritime regulations;
• Provide expertise in capacity building of the Administration, particularly on matters of law;
• Provide representation in court proceedings involving the Administration;
• Represent the Administration in domestic and international conferences;
• Provide guidance to the Administration on The Gambia’s treaty obligations arising from the maritime industry and ocean governance;
• Manage and coordinate engagements with the IMO and Abuja MOU;
• Advise various departments on vessel registration and licensing requirements across different regulations;
• Provide administrative support for the internal legal work of the Administration involving staff and management; and
• Advise the Administration on the adoption and enforcement of maritime regulations.