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The Special Court for Sierra Leone was established as a treaty based court between the United Nations and Sierra Leone, following UN Security Council action, with jurisdiction over serious violations of international humanitarian law and certain Sierra Leonean offences.

Taylor was charged in an 11 count indictment, alleging crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Sierra Leone between 30 November 1996 and 18 January 2002, in specified districts (including Kailahun, Kenema, Bombali, Kono, Port Loko, and Western Area), involving acts such as terrorism, murder, rape, sexual slavery, outrages upon personal dignity, enslavement, pillage, and the conscription or enlistment of children under 15, among others.

The Trial Chamber convicted Taylor on all counts, finding criminal responsibility primarily through aiding and abetting, and for certain counts also through planning, and imposed a 50 year sentence.