President James Michel presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Mr. Melchior Vidot, whose nomination as Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court was recommended by the Constitutional Appointments Authority in May.

Justice Vidot took the Oaths of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath before the President and in the presence of the Vice-President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Justice, the Attorney General, judges and a member of the Constitutional Appointments Authority, as well as senior officials in the Office of the President.

Justice Vidot, who is aged 51, obtained his degree in law from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and was called to the Bar in 1998.  He had worked as a State Counsel and Official Notary in the Department of Legal Affairs.  He has served as chairman of the Tenants’ Rights Tribunal and of the Employment Tribunal, as well as serving on the board of the Seychelles Licensing Authority.  He was a member of the Judicial Review Committee, mandated by the President to review the criminal legal system.  He had also served as Master and Registrar of the Supreme Court and Registrar of the Court of Appeal.  Most recently, he has been working as a private attorney and notary.

In congratulating Justice Vidot, President Michel noted that his knowledge and experience would most certainly contribute to the advancement of the Seychelles Judiciary.

In his remarks to the press after the ceremony, Justice Vidot said that he was eager to take up the challenges ahead.  He also had words of encouragement for young people aspiring to join the Judiciary and he emphasised that they should work hard to realise their ambitions