Page 7 - MONACO LAW REVIEW 2025-2

MONACO LAW REVIEW |DECEMBER 2025 | PORTRAITS
These varied experiences have given me a broad and in-depth
understanding of the challenges facing the justice system. I
hope they will allow me to provide effective support to the
State Secretary of Justice of Monaco in his responsibilities.
Ms QUILICO, you serve as Chief of Staff
within the State Secretariat of Justice. What
has been your professional journey?
CQ. After completing my schooling in Monaco, I studied
law at the University of Nice–Sophia Antipolis1. I had the
privilege of beginning a doctoral thesis under the supervision
of the late Jean-François Renucci, who served for many years
within our Palais de Justice and to whom I have often thought
with emotion since taking up my duties here.
I then joined the National Council (Parliament of Monaco), fi rst
as Delegation Secretary to several international organisations,
including PACE2 and the OSCE3 Parliamentary Assembly. I
later joined the legal team, where much of the work consisted
in drafting legislation. A demanding but highly formative
work. After a few years, I had the honour of joining the Offi ce
of the President of the National Council as Legal Affairs
Offi cer, a role that was both demanding and fascinating. I
was subsequently appointed Deputy Chief of Staff, enabling
me to broaden my experience in administrative management
(HR, budget, facilities management), before joining the State
Secretariat of Justice.
How has the role of Chief of Staff been
reshaped following the creation of the Head of
Operations position?
CQ. The transition occurred naturally. This new dual structure
works extremely well because the Head of Operations and
the Chief of Staff support and complement each other. This
governance model has long proved effective within the
Prince’s Government. Justice had been the exception, and
the creation of a Head of Operations position has helpfully
resolved that situation.
Beyond your shared responsibilities with the
Head of Operations, do you also have duties
of your own?
CQ. Absolutely. I supervise the teams and ensure the
proper functioning of all our directorates and services.
My responsibilities therefore include human resources
and budgetary management, as well as matters relating to
facilities – our buildings, IT systems and infrastructure. In
many ways, the Chief of Staff acts as the Swiss Army knife of
the State Secretariat of Justice.
Does your position involve particular
challenges within the State Secretariat of
Justice?
CQ. The challenges are diverse. The justice sector comprises
a large number of staff (181 people) holding different
statuses (judges, prosecutors, registrars, prison offi cers,
administrative staff, etc.) and operating with an operating
budget of €6,600,000. Through this role, I have discovered
demanding and fascinating professions. Each one plays a
vital role – from the members of the judiciary to the prison
offi cer, whose work is carried out largely behind the scenes
and under particularly stringent conditions.
You seem to work in perfect synergy. Is team
spirit important for the Monegasque justice
system?
JS and CQ. Team spirit is fundamental within the State
Secretariat of Justice, as it fosters dynamism, modernity
and innovation through the exchange of ideas. Cohesion
is equally essential across the justice system: judges,
prosecutors, registrars, lawyers, bailiffs, administrative staff
and prison offi cers must all work together to ensure the
effective functioning of the public justice service.
What will be the main challenges for the State
Secretariat of Justice in 2026?
JS and CQ. In 2026, we will continue implementing the
State Secretary’s roadmap, with Monaco’s removal from the
FATF/MONEYVAL grey list as the top priority. We will also
pursue efforts to modernise the justice system (digitalisation
of the criminal records system, introduction of new criminal
response mechanisms, updating the regulatory framework
governing the legal professions). Another priority will
be to foster a shift in judicial culture through training and
publications, in particular through the work of the IMFPJ.
The recruitment of Monegasque members of the judiciary
will also remain a key objective. It is very important for the
State Secretary that nationals serve within the courts and
tribunals of Monaco.
1| As of 1 January 2020, renamed Côte d’Azur University.
2 | Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
3 | Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
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