Court hearings to resume on June 1, 2020 |30 May 2020

The Judiciary of Seychelles has announced that it will resume regular hearings in the Supreme Court, Magistrates’ Courts and Tribunals on Monday June 1, 2020. From June 1 to June 12, 2020 the Supreme Court will hear priority cases and selected scheduled cases on both Mahé and Praslin.

The health and well-being of Judiciary staff and court users remains a priority, and the re-opening of the Judiciary is in accordance with a department of health’s approved plan which has necessitated a number of changes in the Judiciary’s operations.  Screening, social distancing measures and dedicated waiting areas have been put in place throughout the Judiciary’s facilities and courtrooms. Only persons who are required for cases should attend at the courthouses in order to reduce the number of people on the campus.

Please ensure you arrive at the Palais de Justice at least 20 minutes before your matter is scheduled to be heard to allow for the screening process that will be conducted before you enter the Palais de Justice.

The Judiciary also requests all court users to be patient and courteous during this time and cooperate with Judiciary staff.

Cases being heard

• The causelist detailing the sittings of the Supreme Court, Magistrates’ Courts and Tribunals is available at https://eservice.egov.sc/Judiciary/
• The Judiciary has notified all parties of the hearings scheduled. Any conflicts must be communicated to the Registrar at registrar@judicaiary.gov.sc

Relocation of the Victoria Magistrates’ Court and tribunals to the Palais de Justice

• PLEASE DO NOT GO TO UNITY HOUSE, VICTORIA IF YOU ARE DUE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE VICTORIA MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.
• All Magistrates Court hearings will now be taken at the Palais de Justice, Ile de Port. Please consult the Schedule below:

CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence, including filing of documents (submissions, and documents required by the Practice Directions) are to be done through the email address registrar@judiciary.gov.sc.

PRACTICE DIRECTIONS

The following Practice Directions have been issued by the Chief Justice, and are effective as from June 1, 2020:

• Magistrates Court Practice Direction 1 of 2020 seeks to simplify the procedure in civil plaints proceeding in the Magistrates’ Courts and increase efficiency and the use of resources, both public and private, by active case management by the judiciary.
• Magistrates Court Practice Direction 2 of 2020 seeks to guide the conduct of criminal cases in the Magistrates’ Courts of Seychelles and to reduce delay, case backlog and ensuring that justice is done irrespective of status and encompasses ‘best practice’ in the governance of criminal trials.

SERVICES

Please note the following services will be offered as from June 1, 2020:

• Cashiers Office for the payment of fines
• Library
• Apostilles

ENQUIRIES

For urgent enquiries please contact the Supreme Court on +248 282 2035 or +248 282 2036

Communique from the Judiciary of Seychelles