Seychelles to host Southern African Chief Justices Forum |25 October 2019
From October 27-30, 2019 the Judiciary of Seychelles will be hosting the Southern African Chief Justices Forum Conference and Annual General Meeting (SACJF 2019).
During this time, the Judiciary will also be hosting the Southern African Judicial Administrators Association (SAJAA) Annual Conference.
SACJF is a multinational forum of Chief Justices and senior judges from across Southern and East Africa.
Established in 2003, SACJF aims to uphold the rule of law, democracy and independence of the courts through regional cooperation and solidarity.
SACJF also facilitates judicial training and capacity building initiatives. Seychelles, the smallest member, joined SACJF in 2010.
SAJAA represents senior court administrators and Registrars from the region. SACJF and SAJAA member States meet annually in a different SACJF country every year, allowing the region’s most senior jurists and administrative staff to reflect on critical issues impacting justice delivery in the region.
In 2018, Seychelles was given the honour of hosting these prestigious events.
The Judiciary of Seychelles looks forward to welcoming over 90 delegates from 13 countries across Southern Africa and East Africa.
SACJF is one of the largest gatherings of African judicial officers on the continent.
Under the theme ‘Without Fear or Favour – Maintaining a Strong, Impartial, Independent and Accountable Judiciary’,conference delegates will discuss a broad range of issues that speak to the challenges faced by judges and the judiciaries on which they serve.
This year’s theme, and sub-themes, will encourage judges to reflect on their ability to act without fear or favour and the impact that constitutional, political, legal, economic and social dynamics may have in hindering or advancing the maintenance of strong, impartial and accountable judiciaries. SACJF 2019 will provide a platform to discuss individual and institutional aspects of judicial independence through a variety of lenses including, but not limited to, the appointment and removal of judges; judicial impartiality and accountable recusal practices; financial autonomy and the resourcing of judiciaries; and accountability mechanisms. SAJAA 2019 will allow court administrators, which are essential to the administration of justice, to reflect on their role in supporting the judiciaries in which they work.
Through a series of interactive panel discussions, targeted questions and group work, SACJF 2019 will allow for the formulation of principles that can assist Chief Justices, governments and other stakeholders to advocate for the principled reform of institutional and constitutional arrangements necessary to create and maintain an impartial, independent and accountable judiciary.
The conference will be formally opened by President Danny Faure on Monday October 28, 2019.