As part of the ongoing Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum (SEACJF) Leadership Training in Seychelles, visiting Chief Justices paid a courtesy visit to the Vice President, Sebastien Pillay, engaging in high-level discussions focused on judicial independence, innovation, and regional cooperation.
The meeting provided an opportunity for open and constructive dialogue between the Vice President and the region’s senior judicial leaders. Discussions centred on the importance of safeguarding judicial independence, while also identifying areas for strengthened collaboration across jurisdictions. The Vice President engaged individually with each Chief Justice, reflecting on past partnerships with Seychelles and exploring shared priorities for future cooperation.
A key highlight of the exchange was the recognition of Seychelles’ progress in integrating innovation within its court systems. Despite being a small jurisdiction, the Judiciary’s advancements, particularly in the use of speech-to-text technology in court proceedings, were widely commended.
Chief Justice of Mauritius, Rehana Mungly-Gulbul, expressed her appreciation and surprise at the level of development achieved. She noted a strong interest in exploring the implementation of similar systems in Mauritius, highlighting that the shared language base between the two countries presents a valuable opportunity for collaboration in training AI-driven tools.
The discussions further underscored a shared commitment among regional judiciaries to embrace innovation while maintaining the integrity and independence of judicial institutions.
Bringing the visit to a close, Chief Justice Rony Govinden expressed gratitude to the Government of Seychelles for its continued support in hosting the series of regional judicial events. He also highlighted the importance of sustained institutional backing, particularly as the Judiciary looks ahead to seeking greater financial autonomy through forthcoming legislative measures before the National Assembly, an important step in reinforcing judicial independence.
Supreme Court Judge Brassel Adeline also conveyed sincere appreciation for the longstanding hospitality extended to Seychelles delegations across the Southern and Eastern African region. He noted that the warm welcome offered to visiting Chief Justices reflects a spirit of reciprocity and mutual respect that continues to strengthen regional judicial relations.