Fadley Faisal
Equal access to justice, artificial intelligence in judicial decision-making in criminal justice systems, mutual legal assistance, digital economy, data protection, alternative dispute resolution, and diversity in judicial appointments were among the topics discussed at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) from November 23 to 25 in Balaclava, Mauritius.
Attorney General Dato Seri Paduka Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa led his chambers in a delegation to the CLMM.
The CLMM is the first in-person meeting for the Commonwealth law ministers and attorney generals since the COVID-19 pandemic. Law ministers, attorney generals and delegates from 31 Commonwealth countries attended the meeting.
A Commonwealth Senior Officials of Law Ministries Meeting (SOLM) was also held prior to the CLMM on November 22 in Balaclava, Mauritius. The meeting was inaugurated by Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and chaired by Attorney General of Mauritius Maneesh Gobin.
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Baroness Patricia Scotland KC was also present at the CLMM.
The theme of this year’s meeting was ‘Strengthening International Cooperation Through the Rule of Law and the Protection of Human Rights’ to address strengthening the rule of law through effective legal frameworks, law, policy and strong institutions, and commitment to the principles of equality, justice and human rights helps countries to achieve cooperation in a wide range of areas.
Commonwealth law ministers and attorney generals meet biennially to share best practices and improve collaboration among countries who share a common legal tradition. The meeting enables law ministers and attorney generals to set clear directions on a range of legal, rule of law and justice issues of mutual interest to member countries.
