The annual ceremony and procession – the “Audience Solennelle de Rentrée des Cours et Tribunaux” – was held on Monday at the Palace of Justice, in the presence of HSH Prince Albert, to mark the start of the new judicial year. The assembled magistrates attended a Mass at the neighbouring Cathedral of Monaco an hour beforehand for a blessing of the upcoming year.
The traditional re-entry address was given by Ms Cécile Chatel-Petit, Vice-President of the Court of Review. In her remarks she focussed on the Court of Revision facing the uncertain future of the supreme courts of the judiciary.
General Prosecutor Mr Jacques Dorémieux said the past judicial year reflected a further decline in the number of criminal cases registered, with a decrease of 18% over the last two years.
However, he added that there has been an increase in incidents related to violence and alcohol, and this matter needs to be reviewed, as well as financial crime, which accounts for 37% of all registered cases and 52% of cases for which international judicial assistance is required.
Mr Dorémieux officially declared the 2015/16 court closed and the 2016/17 session open at 12:30 pm.
(Procession photo homepage: ©Direction de la Communication/Charly Gallo)
Prince oversees audience, judicial year officially open
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