The Department of Legal Affairs is the Government department in charge of dealing with and advising upon legal matters of interest to the Government. The Department of Legal Affairs comprises of the Attorney General's Chambers, the Legal Drafting Division and the Registry. The head of the Department of Legal Affairs is the Attorney General.

The Attorney General's Chambers is in charge of advising the Government and its various departments on legal issues. It also handles all criminal prosecutions in court and represents the Government in all civil and constitutional actions. The Chambers comprises of State Counsel and Public Prosecutors. State Counsel are fully qualified lawyers with full rights of audience to represent the Government before all the courts of Seychelles. Public Prosecutors' right of audience is limited to the Magistrates Courts and they are in charge of criminal prosecutions therein. The premises of the Attorney General's Chambers is at National House.

The Legal Drafting Division deals with the drafting of primary and secondary legislation and the Official Gazette. It is also tasked with maitaining records on the legislative laws of Seychelles. Anyone who wishes to purchase hard copies of any laws of Seychelles may do so through this division. Its premises are also located at National House and its staff comprises of State Counsels who have, in general, obtained extra training in legislative drafting. The head of this division is the Principal Legal Draftsman.

The Registry is in charge of registering and maintaining official registers as prescribed by law. All land transfers must go through this division and all incorporations of companies under the 1972 act and associations under the 1958 act. The Registry is headed by the Registrar General.

In September 2009, the post of Law Review Commissioner was re-created. The role of the commissioner will be to produce an up to date and complete volume of the laws of Seychelles and to propose amendments and law reform.

Key Individuals of the Department of Legal Affairs:

Attorney General
Mr Ronny Govinden

Registrar General
Ms Lucienne Charlette

Law Review Commissioner
Mr Ranjun Perera
Page Last Updated on 22/07/2010.