Header

Supreme Court Judge , Mahe, Seychelles


Reference: PG/SYC/0659
Location: Mahe, Seychelles
Duration: 3 years
Closing Date: 14 Dec 2012

Project Background

Improvements in prosecutorial capacity of the Attorney General’s Office have significantly increased pressure on the justice system in Seychelles. This has been keenly felt by the current complement of judges who have been unable to deal satisfactorily with the volume of cases and growing backlog. Outdated court rules, administrative procedures and practices are also contributing to this challege. The result has been that the Supreme Court has a backlog of approximately 1200 criminal and civil cases, some dating back several years. This is made up of civil suits, commercial cases and divorce cases.

Project Purpose

This project aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Supreme Court of Seychelles to improve operational effectiveness of the judicial system. In doing so, this will reduce the backlog of criminal and civil cases and allow locally appointed judges to focus on dealing with the current case load.
A more efficient and effective court system will strengthen the constitution and support the democratic development of Seychelles. It will also provide the people of Seychelles with greater access to justice, thereby improving perceptions of the judiciary. This will also extend to domestic and foreign investors whose increased confidence in an effective legal framework for trade will encourage greater investment required to boost employment and economic growth.

Duties and Responsibilities

The project will place two judges in the Supreme Court of Seychelles for a period of three years and will report directly to the Chief Justice or nominee. During the project it is expected that the judges will:
  • Preside over cases as assigned;
  • Assist the Chief Justice on developments with regards to commercial law;
  • Assist the Chief Justice in the implementation of new court procedures and administrative rules;
  • Provide mentoring to the locally appointed judges with regard to judgments in commercial cases;
  • Assist the Chief Justice with any national judicial training programmes;
  • Assist with any other request made by the Chief Justice.

Project Outputs

It is expected that the project will achieve:
  • All backlog cases heard and appropriately dealt with.
  • Capacity of judiciary with regard to Commercial Law improved.
  • Revised court procedures and administrative rules and practices developed and implemented.

Transfer of Expertise

The Commonwealth Secretariat attaches importance to  transfer of expertise and knowledge to counterparts. The judges will provide mentoring and guidance to locally appointed judges in adopting new procedures and practices.

Implementation Arrangements

The experts will work closely with Commonwealth Secretariat Advisers in delivering this technical assistance. The expert will be based at the Supreme Court of Seychelles in Victoria for a period of three years and will report to the Chief Justice or nominee.

Experience and Qualifications     

Essential
  • Degree and professional qualification in law.
  • Minimum of 10 years professional experience as a Judge of a Supreme Court (or equivalent),  in any Commonwealth jurisdiction including a minimum of:
  • 5 years’ experience of hearing commercial cases at the High Court or equivalent level; or
  • 5 years’ experience in trying serious criminal offences in a common law or mixed jurisdiction.
  • Strong presentation, communication and report writing skills.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.
  • Proficiency in computer skills such as Word Processing, Spreadsheet and PowerPoint Presentations.
Desirable
  • Experience of developing and delivering capacity building inputs for the justice sector
  • Familiarity with the original Code Napoleon which is the basis of the law of the obligations (Contract and Succession Law), Delict (Tort Law), Civil Status and Land Law.
  • Experience of working in a Commonwealth Country and/or in the Africa region.

Making an application & further information