VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Court of Appeal closed its second term of the year yesterday morning, with judgments delivered in cases heard during the August session. The sitting was presided over by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Anthony Fernando, who used the occasion to remind lawyers and litigants of the importance of proper functioning of any government of justice. He noted that the Court of Appeal sits only three times a year, but expressed confidence that the goal of a provisional list of cases for the December session can be met.
Justice Fernando acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the fact that the Court of Appeal sits only three times a year, and used the occasion to encourage lawyers to keep the register informed. He reminded counsel and litigants that a provisional list of cases for the December session had been circularised on August 12, and encouraged them to review it carefully.
He also used the sitting to address the matter of adjournments, saying that while adjournments are welcome, it would have been preferable had the registry been informed earlier before the preparation of the court briefs. He concluded by urging lawyers to be mindful of the impact of adjournments on the work of the court and on the parties awaiting decisions, and to keep the registry updated on the progress of their cases. The closing of the second term brings to a close the appellate court’s work for August, with the next session scheduled for December.
