Procedures
English procedure over Civil Code substance with a Commercial Court
Civil procedure follows the Seychelles Code of Civil Procedure, English in form, applied to Civil Code causes of action. A Commercial Court division of the Supreme Court handles business disputes. Prescription follows the Civil Code, generally five years for personal actions under the 2020 restatement.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Magistrates' Court, the Supreme Court with Commercial and Family divisions, then the Court of Appeal.
- Deadline — Personal actions generally prescribe after 5 years under the 2020 Code
- Deadline — Appeal to the Court of Appeal: notice within 30 days
Governing law
- Seychelles Code of Civil ProcedureCap 213
- Civil Code of Seychelles Act 2020 — prescription
- Courts ActCap 52
In practice
The 2020 recodification shortened several prescription periods, so authorities decided under the 1976 Code state periods that no longer apply — a live trap when relying on older Seychellois judgments.