Jacques Hodoul sworn in as Court of Appeal judge |28 March 2005

Mr Hodoul took his Oath of Allegiance and Judiciary Oath before Vice-President Joseph Belmont and Chief Justice Vivekanand Alleear at State House.

Among those attending the ceremony were the president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Michael Ramodibedi, Attorney General Antony Fernando and members of Mr Hodoul's family.

Mr Hodoul was appointed judge of the Seychelles Court of Appeal by President James Michel earlier this month, following the recommendation of the Constitutional Appointments Authority.

Married with one son, Mr Hodoul did law at the Middle Temple, England, where he was called to the Bar in 1973. The same year he returned to Seychelles to start practicing as a lawyer until 1977 when he became a government minister. He served as minister in former President Albert Rene’s administration until his resignation in 1991.

In 1992 Mr Hodoul founded the Mouvement Seychellois pour la Democratie which took part in the constitutional election the same year. 

He resumed his practice as an attorney in 1993.
Speaking to the press after his swearing in, Mr Hodoul said he was honoured that President Michel has appointed him as justice to the highest court in Seychelles and looked forward to discharge his responsibility with impartiality.

Following his appointment as judge, Mr Hodoul said he had passed on all his pending cases to another lawyer and had already explained the situation to his clients.

The Seychelles Court of Appeal is expected to operate in the former National History Museum building on State House avenue. The building is currently under renovation.