The Special Court for Sierra Leone is one of four hybrid courts set up by the international community, in conjunction with individual nations, in order to handle prosecutions of individuals for serious violations of international humanitarian law that have occurred and are ongoing in the territory of each of those nations. In the case of the SPCL, the court was established to handle the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonian law since November 30, 1996.

For further information on hybrid courts, see the Project on International Courts and Tribunals.