PH, Brunei Supreme Courts sign MOU on judicial education, cooperation

The Supreme Courts (SC) of the Philippines and Brunei have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen judicial education and institutional cooperation, the Philippine SC announced Monday.

According to the High Court, the signing ceremony was held at The Empire Brunei in Brunei Darussalam on Sunday, August 30.

“Our courts today operate in an increasingly interconnected world. Legal disputes and criminal activities no longer remain neatly within territorial boundaries,” Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said in a statement.

Under the agreement, the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) and Brunei’s Judicial Education and Training Unit were designated as the implementing institutions.

The two institutions will exchange expertise, knowledge, and best practices in judicial education, including curriculum design, teaching methods, and evaluation systems, the SC said.

They will also organize and participate in workshops, seminars, conferences, study visits, and other capacity-building programs for judges, judicial officers, and court personnel.

Gesmundo also identified several areas for cooperation, including the study of Shari’ah, approaches to trafficking in persons, cybercrime and electronic evidence, and climate justice and environmental adjudication.

The Chief Justice said the MOU is “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.”

“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,” he said.

“In this regard, judicial education becomes a bridge, not merely between institutions, but between people and legal traditions as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, Brunei Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong said the Philippines’ role as co-chair of the Working Group on Judicial Education and Training under the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices reflects the country’s commitment to strengthening judicial education.

He said there is much to gain from looking beyond their own institutional boundaries and learning from their counterparts.— MCG, GMA News