CJ Twomey to step down • Justice MacGregor to retire |11 January 2020
CJ Twomey inspecting a guard of honour during the courts’ re-opening ceremony yesterday (Photo: Joena Meme)
Mathilda Twomey yesterday, during the re-opening of the judiciary, made public of her intention to step down as chief justice before the end of this year.
In the same instance, it was revealed that the president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Francis MacGregor, will be taking his retirement at the end of January 2020.
Justice MacGregor has been serving in the post since his appointment in July 2007, making him the first Seychellois to be appointed as the president of the Court of Appeal.
A statement from the judiciary has clarified that the Chief Justice’s announcement is neither her resignation as a judge on the Seychelles judiciary nor does it have anything to do with the position of the President of the Court of Appeal which will become vacant at the end of January when Justice MacGregor retires.
Speaking about when exactly she will step down from her present role, CJ Twomey noted that she would do so at the appropriate time but before the year ends.
One of the factors that are to come into play in her decision is the court cases that she is still handling and which she will have to deal with before leaving her post.
“When I was asked to take up the position as Chief Justice I did it on condition that it would only be for a five-year period and that we would get all of the institutional support we needed to make the changes. It was a condition of my appointment that the necessary legal and constitutional changes be made to address the idiosyncrasies of our legal structure and system,” CJ Twomey informed during her speech yesterday.
“And so this year I am going to honour my commitment and step down from the position as Chief Justice, and concentrate my efforts as Justice of Appeal. I believe that change is important, it brings with it fresh impetus. Another Chief Justice might have different ideas for new reform and maybe make further improvements to our judiciary.”
When asked why she opted to only serve a mandate of five years, CJ Twomey replied that she is a strong proponent of limits of powers.
“When you remain in certain post for a long time, the power you have sometimes goes to your head and makes people do things that they are not supposed to and use their power in excess.”
“I believe that one mandate is sufficient for a chief justice; you establish and implement your plan, and then you give way for another person who will bring about something different or look at things in a different light. I am doing this in respect of the law, the country I love dear and the judiciary which I have invested so much in and I hope to continue on serving the judiciary as a Justice of the Court of Appeal,” CJ Twomey explained.
Although she will remain occupied with the Court of Appeal, CJ Twomey expects to have more time to conduct her researches, which she is passionate about, and spend additional time with her family.
Elsie Pointe