FOREWORD BY CHIEF JUSTICE FMS EGONDA-NTENDE

This Annual Report presents us with an opportunity to give an account of how we have managed the resources that have been placed at our disposal. This accountability is not only financial accountability. That can be taken care of by the Chief Internal Auditor and/or Auditor General, in accordance with their mandates, or the Finance and Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly and ultimately the National Assembly itself. This accountability is an overview of our constitutional mandate and how we have deployed the resources placed at our disposal to realise the constitutional imperatives.

This report examines what the Judiciary has done from approximately 2010 to 2012, both in comparative terms, but also to explain the period in which the Judiciary started implementing its Strategic Plan 2010‐2014. One of the activities that we had set out to achieve in the tactical plan that implements the strategic plan was the production of an annual report. I am glad that this milestone event has now been realised.

The report is a critical examination of the operations of the Judiciary, including analysis of case data to provide an overview of the performance of the Judiciary. The challenges are noted. The road ahead of us is marked out.

It is a milestone event as this is the very first annual report in the memory of this organisation. It is our determination that it shall not be the last one. It is therefore the forerunner of regular annual reporting with increased content and depth in a manner that will give not only an account of value for money but equally whether we are in compliance with constitutional imperatives or not. As work was going on to prepare this report my mind was drawn to the parable of the talents in the Holy Bible [Matthew 25: 14‐30]. A master who had given his servants talents returned and received reports on what each servant had done with the talents given to him. Those servants that had multiplied the talents given to them received rewards and the one servant who had not done anything to increase the value of the talent he had been given was condemned. This parable is equally applicable to the Judiciary of this country. The Judiciary is a servant of the People of Seychelles. But which servant will it be? The Public will be the Judges! This report provides you with the information you require to make that judgement.

As public servants we are not entitled to any reward beyond what is written in our contracts. However if by this report there is increased public understanding of the Judiciary and its operations and, maybe, increased public confidence and trust in the Judiciary, we shall have been amply rewarded! Finis Coronat Opus. The End Justifies the Work!

I thank all judicial officers and staff of the Judiciary for their work this past year. It is clear though that there is room for improvement in many areas. I wish to congratulate Ms Jessica Kerr, my Executive Legal Assistant, who has chaired the Committee on the First Annual Report, as well as being the Editor of the same, and her Committee for a job well done.

22 March 2013