The Supreme Courts of Brunei Darussalam and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 18 to strengthen communication, collaboration and cooperation on issues relating to dispute avoidance and resolution.
The MoU was signed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong Wan Oon on behalf of the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam and Singapore’s Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon on behalf of the Supreme Court of Singapore.
The High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Singapore Dato Paduka Haji Sidek bin Ali was present at the signing ceremony.
Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong along with a delegation of senior judges and judicial officers also visited Singapore’s Supreme Court, State Courts, and Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office on July 17 and 18.
Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong said, “Fruitful discussions were held on areas including enhancing the access to justice, hearings in the Small Claims Tribunal, the use of mediation and counselling in Singapore’s Family Justice Courts, insolvency and bankruptcy administration, judicial administration and operations, court technology, judicial education and training, and case management.”
The Chief Justice added that the MoU signifies the deep-rooted history and warm friendship between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore and reaffirms the commitment to maintaining strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
“The MoU will serve as a fundamental pillar of judicial cooperation in providing a platform to enhance communication and lays the groundwork for collaboration, enabling the exchange on perspectives and best practices on dispute avoidance and resolution,” he added.
The MoU is the third signed between the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam and other jurisdictions, following the signing of a memorandum with the Supreme People’s Court of China on September 21, 2004 and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR on May 4. – Fadley Faisal
