The Judiciary has reported a significant improvement in case clearance rates and notable shifts in legal trends over the past year, according to statistics released during the Opening of the Legal Year 2025 at the Supreme Court in Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong’s address on Thursday.
For the 12-month period ending December 2024, the clearance rate for civil cases reached 100 per cent, marking a substantial increase from the previous year’s 80 and 83 per cent. The Judiciary also improved efficiency in delivering judgments, with 88 per cent of Magistrates’ Court criminal cases and 75 per cent of High Court civil cases being resolved within three months from the close of submissions.
The number of criminal cases filed in the Magistrates’ Court saw a slight decline, from 498 in 2023 to 481 in 2024. A similar downward trend was observed in the Intermediate Court, where filings decreased from 58 to 49 cases, and in the High Court, where cases dropped from 14 to 12.
However, the Judiciary noted an increase in family law matters, particularly in the number of divorce petitions filed. The Probate Registry also recorded a rise in applications for letters of administration, with 768 applications submitted in 2024.
In the area of corporate and financial matters, the Official Receiver’s Chambers saw an increase in bankruptcy notices, rising from 344 in 2023 to 350 in 2024. Similarly, the number of winding-up orders for companies entering liquidation increased from 13 in 2023 to 15 in 2024, indicating a growing need for insolvency and restructuring support.
The statistics provide insights into the evolving legal landscape in Brunei Darussalam, reflecting both efficiency improvements in the courts and changing trends in legal disputes. The Judiciary continues to assess these developments as it moves forward with its reform initiatives. – Fadley Faisal
