Justice Samia Andre sworn in to serve on the Court of Appeal   |08 April 2022

Justice Samia Andre sworn in to serve on the Court of Appeal  

Justice Samia Andre was yesterday sworn in as a Justice on the Court of Appeal following her appointment by President Wavel Ramkalawan.

Her appointment follows recommendations made to the President by the Constitutional Appointments Authority (CAA) pursuant with Article 123 of the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles.

She is the third female to be appointed to serve on the highest Court of our country.

Justice Andre received her appointment letter from President Ramkalawan in a short ceremony at State House where she also took the Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution and the Judicial Oath.

After the ceremony, Justice Andre noted that this appointment is a beautiful moment and an important step in her career not only as a woman in Judiciary but also for all Seychellois.

“It is a symbol that nothing is impossible and the sky is the limit. My journey so far has been full of challenges and learning. All my years in Judiciary (16 years) will help me to continue the job I started.”

Justice Andre also shared that in order to be successful, she had to include the family and also have the support of the family.

Since Justice Oagile Dingake had resigned a few months ago, there was an opening for a new Justice of the Court of Appeal. With the appointment of Justice Samia Andre, there is now a total of five Justices on the Court of Appeal.

President Ramkalawan congratulated Justice Andre on her achievement within the Judiciary as well as the CAA for such a recommendation.

“Justice Andre comes at a time when the Judiciary is going through quite a transformation and bringing reforms. We know that the Court of Appeal has gone through certain difficulties and together with the Attorney General we are looking into having a pool of Justices for the Court of Appeal and also look into how to increase the number of Magistrates.”

President Ramkalawan encouraged the young people to join the Judiciary for a career and the possibilities are real.

Justice Andre went to the University of Mauritius where she undertook her Bachelor of Laws with Honours and the Council of Legal Education where she pursued her Bar Finals-Attorney Examination Certificate. She joined the State Law Office as State Counsel in the year 1999, received her admission as an Attorney-at-Law on the Roll of the Supreme Court in 2001 and worked as State Counsel SE II; Senior State Counsel; and Registrar General until October 2006.

She was appointed Magistrate in October 2006, and then Senior Magistrate during which period she additionally presided over the Juvenile Court and Rent Board.

She was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of Seychelles in the year 2015.

During her tenure in the Judiciary she has undertaken several academic/professional studies comprising  Certificate in Management of Judicial Bench Skills in the year 2011, Certificate in Enhancing Judicial Bench Skills in the year 2012, and Certificate as a Civil Mediator in the year 2013 and all Certificates were obtained from the National Judicial College of Nevada USA.

She has additionally studied a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (Family Law) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Laws (Family Law); and a Masters of Laws in the Specialization of Family Law. She has been a member of several Boards and Tribunals namely, the Family Tribunal, Employment Advisory Board, Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation, Seychelles National Youth Council, National Arts Council, National Aids Council and the Survey Board.

She is now currently working on completing her PhD.

The ceremony was attended by Vice-President Ahmed Afif; members of the Court of Appeal – Justice Anthony Fernando, Justice Mathilda Twomey and Justice Fiona Robinson; Justice Andre’s family; First Lady Linda Ramkalawan; Attorney General Frank Ally; Chief Justice Ronny Govinden; members of the CAA; the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Roger Mancienne; Minister Billy Rangasamy and the leader of government affairs in the National Assembly, Hon. Bernard Georges.

Vidya Gappy

Photos by Thomas Meriton