The Judiciary of Seychelles, in collaboration with the National Council for Children (NCC), proudly hosted the fourth edition of the annual “Hot Seat” Forum at the Palais de Justice, providing secondary school students with a unique opportunity to engage directly with legal professionals and ask candid questions about the justice system and careers in law.
This year’s session featured Chief Magistrate Brigitte Confait in the “hot seat,” supported by an accomplished all-female panel comprising legal practitioners Ms. Evelyne Almeida and Ms. Nissa Thompson. Together, the panel tackled a wide range of thoughtful and challenging questions posed by students, covering both professional and personal aspects of working within the legal field.
In a first since the forum’s inception, the discussion was led entirely by women, a notable milestone for the event. Previous editions featured senior members of the Judiciary, including the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal. This year’s all-female panel offered students a powerful example of women occupying influential positions within the justice sector and contributing meaningfully to the administration of justice in Seychelles.
Students posed insightful questions about what it takes to pursue a career in law, seeking advice on the educational pathways, skills, and mindset required to succeed in the profession. Panelists spoke openly about their personal journeys, the challenges they encountered throughout their careers, and the resilience, discipline, and integrity required to thrive in legal practice and judicial service.
The discussion also ventured into more nuanced and personal territory, with students asking how legal professionals balance professional duty with personal beliefs, and how lawyers navigate the ethical complexities of representing clients whom they may personally believe to be guilty.
These questions prompted honest and thought-provoking responses from the panel, who emphasised the importance of the rule of law, professional ethics, fairness, and the principle that every individual is entitled to legal representation and due process.
The forum once again demonstrated the strong interest young people continue to show in institutions such as the Judiciary and the justice system at large. Their thoughtful engagement reflected not only curiosity about legal careers, but also a growing awareness of civic responsibility, justice, and the role institutions play in society.
The Judiciary is proud to support initiatives such as the Hot Seat Forum, which create meaningful opportunities for young people to interact with judicial and legal professionals. Beyond exposing students to potential career paths, such platforms encourage critical thinking, civic awareness, and informed discussions on important societal issues.
By engaging students in conversations about justice, ethics, rights, and responsibility, the Judiciary hopes to inspire the next generation to think more deeply about their role as active and responsible citizens.
The Judiciary of Seychelles extends its sincere appreciation to the National Council for Children for its continued commitment to empowering young people through dialogue and engagement.