Seychelles judiciary gets access to Lexis Library |03 November 2014

Legal professionals can now access the Lexis Library, one of the largest online legal research databases in the world.

This has been possible after the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) donated subscription to the database to the judiciary.

It was during a short ceremony at the Palais de Justice on Wednesday afternoon that acting Chief Justice Durai Karunakaran launched the service.

This was in the presence of the principal secretary for Foreign Affairs Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, UNODC’s senior country officer here Shanaka Jayasekara , representatives from Eucap Nestor, among other legal professionals.

The launch was followed by a training session for key personnel who will be using the Lexis Library.

Donovan Byrne, a consultant from Lexis Nexis Group -- the corporation which provides computer-assisted legal research as well as training in software use to access the library -- is conducting the training.

Speaking before the launch Mr Jayasekara said Seychelles’ crucial role in the fight against piracy and prosecuting pirates has been remarkable and the UNODC is happy to continue to support the Seychelles judiciary in this endeavour by upgrading its facilities.

It is to be noted that subscription to the Lexis Library is only a component of UNODC’s help to the judiciary and it is the results of discussions last year and a request made by the then Chief Justice Frederick Egonda Ntende for access to such a service.

In remarks before launching the service, Justice Karunakaran said “modernising  our justice delivery system is part of our continued commitment to the people of Seychelles”.

“Our world is changing by new technological innovations every second of every day. We will continue our efforts to exploit more and more innovative technological solutions as they emerge such as the Lexis to improve our professionalism, quality and timely delivery of judgments in courts,” added Justice Karunakaran.

He noted that the service is an invaluable addition to the existing resources of the Seychelles judiciary.  

“The Lexis Library is the most sophisticated all-inclusive online legal reference database which will provide us with direct access to a wealth of legal information from many countries around the world. From our desks at the Palais de Justice at the touch of a finger, one can enter the legal world and browse cases, legislations, and professional legal commentaries on any of the legal subjects,” Justice Karunakaran pointed out.