MANILA — The Philippines and Brunei Darussalam have formalised an agreement to strengthen judicial cooperation on emerging, cross-border and transnational legal issues.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and Brunei Darussalam Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during a ceremony at The Empire Brunei on August 30.
The agreement covers cooperation in areas including the study of Shari’ah, approaches to trafficking in persons, cybercrime and electronic evidence, as well as climate justice and environmental adjudication, as reported by Manila Bulletin.
Under the MOU, the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) and Brunei’s Judicial Education and Training Unit will serve as the implementing institutions.
The two judiciaries will exchange expertise, knowledge and best practices in judicial education, including curriculum development, teaching methods and evaluation systems.
They will also organise and participate in workshops, seminars, conferences, study visits and other capacity-building programmes for judges, judicial officers and court personnel.
The partnership further provides for the development and sharing of publications, research, bench books, training modules and other educational materials.
It also covers joint initiatives on issues of mutual interest, particularly emerging challenges affecting judicial administration and adjudication, as well as professional exchanges and networking opportunities.
In his message, Gesmundo said the agreement reflected the Philippine Supreme Court’s belief that the administration of justice was strengthened when judiciaries learned from one another.
He described the MOU as “an affirmation of the enduring friendship between our two nations and of our commitment to judicial excellence, rule of law, and effective delivery of justice.”
Gesmundo said rapid changes in technology and society required judges and court personnel to engage in continuous learning and strengthen cooperation across jurisdictions.
“Our courts today operate in an increasingly interconnected world. Legal disputes and criminal activities no longer remain neatly within territorial boundaries. Technological advances have transformed the way evidence is created, preserved, and presented.
“Environmental and climate concerns increasingly find their way into courtrooms. Artificial intelligence is reshaping institutions and raising profound questions about fairness, accountability, and the ethical exercise of judicial authority,” he said.
He said the agreement’s broader value would be in building stronger relationships between judges, judicial officers, judicial educators and court personnel from both countries.
“I believe the deeper value of this initiative lies in the relationships it will cultivate among our judges, judicial officers, judicial educators, and court personnel. Through candid dialogue and the sharing of experiences, we gain not only new knowledge but also a deeper appreciation of the circumstances and perspectives that shape another judiciary.
“In this regard, judicial education becomes a bridge, not merely between institutions, but between people and legal traditions, as well,” he said.
Chong said the MOU recognised that judicial education could be strengthened through cooperation and the exchange of experiences among courts.
“The MOU reflects a shared recognition that judicial education is not simply an internal matter for individual judiciaries. It is an endeavor in which we can learn from one another, benefit from one another’s experience, and work together to strengthen the administration of justice,” he said.
He also acknowledged the Philippines’ contribution as co-chair of the Working Group on Judicial Education and Training under the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ).
“That role reflects the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening judicial education not only within its own judiciary, but also as an area of regional cooperation,” he said.
The MOU followed discussions during the Advanced Courses on the Role of International Law in Advancing ASEAN Judiciaries hosted by the Philippines.
The programme, held in February, brought together more than 100 delegates from ASEAN member states, including Brunei Darussalam.
Representatives of the Philippine and Brunei judiciaries discussed ways to deepen institutional cooperation and create more opportunities for judges, court personnel and judicial educators to exchange knowledge and experiences.
