The Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law (CARL-SL) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that seeks to promote a just society for all in Sierra Leone, through monitoring institutions of accountability, outreach and advocacy for institutional transparency, capacity building and the empowerment of citizens.

CARL has its origin in the Special Court Monitoring Group (SCMG), which was established in May 2004 as a partnership project of the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and the Coalition for Justice and Accountability (COJA) to exclusively monitor and produce objective reporting on proceedings before the Court for both the local and international community.

The Special Court Monitoring Group was renamed the Sierra Leone Court Monitoring Programme (SLCMP) in August 2005, as its monitoring activities were expanded to include the domestic courts. By 2007, SLCMP’s activities had expanded to include outreach and advocacy for legislative reforms and supporting access to justice for all. The organisation was renamed the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law in 2008 to reflect its broadened mission.

CARL also monitors the functioning of the Anti Corruption Commission , which was established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to investigate allegations of corruption, particularly in the public sector.