The Judiciary of Seychelles successfully hosted its annual Constitution Day Symposium on Wednesday, 16 June 2026, at the Palais de Justice, bringing together members of the Judiciary, the Bar, legal practitioners, and key justice sector stakeholders for a day of insightful dialogue under the theme: “Justice, Democracy, and the Rule of Law in Seychelles.”
This year’s theme was in honour of Seychelles’ 50th independence and 33 years of the Constitution under the Third Republic.
Regarded as one of the most successful editions to date, this year’s symposium saw strong participation and highly engaging discussions from attendees, reflecting the growing relevance and impact of the annual forum since its inception by the Judiciary’s Public Relations Office four years ago.
The symposium opened with the first panel discussion focused on constitutionalism in Seychelles, featuring experienced attorneys Mr Philippe Boullé and Mr France Bonte, who explored the nation’s constitutional journey, examining where Seychelles has come from and where it is headed in safeguarding constitutional rights and upholding the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
The panel addressed critical issues surrounding constitutional interpretation, the protection of fundamental rights, and the evolving role of constitutionalism in modern Seychelles. Discussions reflected on how constitutional principles have shaped governance, democracy, and the rule of law over the years, while also considering future challenges and opportunities for reform.
The session was moderated by Supreme Court Judge Brassel Adeline, who guided a thoughtful and dynamic exchange between panelists and participants, followed by a lively question-and-answer session.
The second panel shifted focus toward practical challenges and reforms within the justice system, with discussions centred on access to justice, legal aid, court modernisation, and the intersection between long-standing legal traditions and rapidly evolving technologies.
This panel featured Attorney General Mr. Perrera, Ombudsman Mr. Robert Georges, and Judge of the Commercial Court, Mrs. Burian, each bringing valuable institutional perspectives to the discussion.
Panelists examined ongoing efforts to improve access to justice, including strengthening legal aid mechanisms, modernising court systems, and leveraging digital tools to enhance efficiency and service delivery. The conversation also addressed the opportunities and challenges that come with technological transformation in the legal sector, particularly the need to balance innovation with procedural fairness and judicial integrity.
The second session was moderated by Supreme Court Judge Gustave Dodin, whose moderation encouraged robust engagement from the audience.
One of the highlights of the symposium was the active participation of audience members, particularly legal practitioners and representatives of the Bar Association, who contributed thoughtful observations and challenging questions throughout both panel discussions.
A recurring issue that emerged, as it has during previous Constitution Day forums, was the need to identify sustainable and practical models for legal aid in Seychelles. The discussion underscored growing concern around ensuring meaningful access to legal representation, particularly for vulnerable individuals and those unable to afford legal services.
In a strong call to action, members of the Judiciary urged the stakeholders present to move discussions beyond theory and begin developing tangible solutions.
The Judges emphasised that while legal aid remains a recurring topic of discussion each year, meaningful progress will require collective commitment and practical action from all stakeholders within the justice sector.
The annual Constitution Day Symposium continues to serve as an important platform for open dialogue on the state of constitutional democracy and the administration of justice in Seychelles. By bringing together judges, lawyers, policymakers, and institutional leaders, the event reinforces the shared responsibility of protecting democratic values and strengthening the rule of law.
The Judiciary of Seychelles extends its sincere appreciation to all speakers, moderators, participants, and attendees whose contributions made this year’s symposium a resounding success.
For those wishing to revisit the discussions in greater detail, the presentations delivered by the speakers are available below:
- Mr. Philippe Boulle’s paper, “Tension Within Pragmatism, Law, and the Constitution”
- The Ombudsman Mr. George Robert’s talk on Legal Aid
- Attorney General Mr. Vinsent Pererra’s presentation, “Legislative Reform, Institutional Coordination, Policy Approaches to Efficiency, and Justice Delivery”
- Judge Burian’s presentation, “Judicial Digitization”