SC, Australia Federal Court sign MOU on judicial cooperation

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Court of Australia (FCA) on judicial cooperation.

According to the SC, both courts shall undertake programs to promote a "deeper understanding of each other's legal and judicial cultures, common international legal standards, regional development and relevant emerging issues."

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Chief Justice Debra Mortimer of the FCA signed the MOU at the Supreme Court in Ermita, Manila City on Wednesday.

"[W]e cement a long-standing relation through new and innovative ways of bettering our court services and improving the quality of our justice service duty-bearers. This Memorandum of Understanding will cover an initial five-year period, and hopefully, will be renewed thereafter," Gesmundo said in a statement.

For her part, Mortimer said the MOU signifies the FCA's commitment to strengthen its relationship with the Philippine high court.

This is the second MOU between the Supreme Court and the Australian judiciary.

The first was signed on May 8 by the Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

The SC said the first memorandum focused on enhancing access to family courts, developing leadership opportunities for women in family courts, and capacity-building initiatives on trafficking in persons and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. — VDV, GMA Integrated News