The Supreme Court also has an appellate jurisdiction whereby it can review the decision of one of its own judges as well as those of subordinate courts. The decisions of the appellate division are in turn subject to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on matters of general public importance. The Chief Justice presides over the Supreme Court with the assistance of a senior puisne judge and seven puisne judges. The Intermediate Court and District Court are presided over by Magistrates. They deal with most criminal matters while the jurisdiction of these courts in respect of civil matters is subject to monetary threshold.
Defendants have the right to retain private counsel of their choice.
However, in certain circumstances where there are genuine financial constraints or a likelihood of his constitutional rights being infringed, a party may be granted legal aid upon making an application to the court. We have a strong and healthy Bar consisting of barristers assisted by attorneys and notaries who do mainly conveyancing and formation of companies. Barristers are either trained in Britain and are called to the Bar at one of the Inns of Court in London or are qualified in Mauritius after passing the vocational examinations of the Council of Legal Education.