Mauritius must bridge the gap between the rights guaranteed by its Constitution and their practical application in everyday life, the head of the country’s legal profession has warned.
Addressing a high-profile legal conference on Friday, 4 September 2026, the Chairman of the Bar Council, Me Antoine Domingue, Senior Counsel, raised serious concerns over the escalating costs of legal proceedings, persistent court delays, and difficulties surrounding the execution of judgments.
Expressing urgency over the state of the justice system, Domingue emphasised: “Delay is not always a neutral inconvenience.”
The warning came during a gathering of prominent judicial and political figures focused on the theme Access to Justice – Bridging the Gap between Law and Reality.
The event brought together Supreme Court judges, former Chief Justices, barristers, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Me Rashid Ahmine, Senior Counsel. High-profile attendees included President Dharam Gokhool, former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, and former Minister Soodesh Callichurn.
Turning to potential solutions, Domingue highlighted the role that digital technology and artificial intelligence could play in lowering costs and speeding up proceedings.
However, he warned against over-reliance on digital tools, stressing that “technology must remain a bridge rather than become yet another barrier.”
Echoing these concerns, the Guest of Honour, former Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Chandrachud, detailed the multiple “doors” a litigant must navigate to secure justice, including access to information, financial costs, physical distance, and length of proceedings.
Chandrachud encapsulated the fundamental challenge facing modern legal systems, stating: “The question is not merely whether justice exists. The question is whether he can reach it.”
Source: Defi Media
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