Prince Albert II has announced the appointment of Samuel Vuelta Simon as the new Secretary of State and Director of Judicial Services for Monaco, effective from 16th September.
Vuelta Simon, who is currently serving as the Public Prosecutor at the Judicial Court of Toulouse, will succeed Sylvie Petit-Leclair, who has held the position since June 2022, it was announced on Friday 30th August.
A distinguished French magistrate, Vuelta Simon brings a wealth of experience from various judicial positions, both in prosecutorial and judicial capacities. His career has been notably marked by his work in combating organised crime and addressing economic and financial misconduct. Prior to his role in Toulouse, he served as an investigating judge in several courts and later as the Public Prosecutor in Bayonne.
Renowned for his leadership skills and ability to implement structural reforms, Mr. Vuelta Simon is expected to bring his expertise and strategic vision to the Monegasque justice system. His focus will be on enhancing the efficiency, independence, and quality of Monaco’s judiciary.
In his communication, Prince Albert II thanked Sylvie Petit-Leclair for her dedicated service as the head of the Judicial Services Directorate.
Wrongful termination complaint filed
In an interview with AFP, Sylvie Petit-Leclair said she was “deeply outraged by the circumstances and lack of justification for (her) dismissal,” noting that she has filed a complaint with Monaco’s Supreme Court, which is currently under review, for “wrongful termination.”
She added, “Throughout my time serving justice in Monaco, I was supported by Prince Albert, whose principles are well-known. Therefore, I do not see the Sovereign reflected in the decision to have me leave prematurely. I can only lament the harmful influence of his new entourage, which, evidently, does not seem to share the same values regarding the rule of law and judicial independence,” she stated.
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Note: This article was updated with information on Petit-Leclair’s complaint when it was reported in AFP.
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