He said this in an interview after launching the courts’ Strategic Plan 2010-14 and the Seychelles Code of Judicial Conduct in a ceremony attended by Vice-President Danny Faure at the Seychelles Trading Company’s conference room on Latanier Road.

Also present were the president of the Court of Appeal Francis MacGregor, ministers, attorney-general Ronny Govinden, deputy speaker of the National Assembly Wilby Lucas, secretary of state for cabinet affairs Mohamed Afif, secretary of state Barry Faure, judges, lawyers and court staff.

Mr Egonda-Ntende said through the code, judges have committed themselves to deliver judgment in a timely manner as they are expected to under the Constitution.

“The judges have committed themselves to ensure that judgments are delivered in a timely manner. In the ordinary cases, judgments shall be delivered within 60 days from cessation of hearing. There may be exceptions based on complexity or other acceptable ground in which this period may be exceeded but it should be able to hold for the majority of cases,” he said.

 
Mr Egonda-Ntende addressing the gathering at the ceremony yesterday

“In doing so the judges are committing themselves to standards that are capable of precise measurement and which should be able to provide to the parties and their legal advisors a reasonable expectation of when such crucial event in the life of a case may occur.

“The code will provide a checklist or a quick reference tool to the public who may have issues with our conduct as judges making it easier for them to determine whether or not they must lay a complaint about a judge.

He said some cases are as old as 10 years and it is unfair for the state, which is stronger than accused individuals, to insist that cases go on even when little or no progress seems to be made.

Mr Egonda-Ntende said the code binds the judges not only professionally but extends to aspects of their personal lives including maintaining the independence of the judiciary, their impartiality and integrity, ensuring all people are equal before the law and the courts.

“The code that we launch today is ultimately about the accountability of the Judiciary and judges to the public. The judges are committed to full accountability by holding out a mirror to the public by which their own conduct can be judged. Yes we know we are judges but you the public are the final judges of whether we meet the public expectations. We have now provided you with a tool for that accountability.

He also said the courts will seek autonomy which will translate to greater independence.

Mr Egonda-Ntende gave copies of the strategic plan and the code of judicial conduct to VP Faure, Mr Lucas and the chairman of the Liaison Unit for Non-governmental Organisations Bernard Elizabeth.

Forrás: http://www.nation.sc/index.php?art=20157