1. On 4 May 2023, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed between the
Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam and the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong SAR)
to strengthen communication, collaboration and cooperation on issues relating to
dispute avoidance and resolution.
2. Signing on behalf of the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam was Chief Justice Dato
Seri Paduka Steven Chong and the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC signed on
behalf of the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong Kong SAR. Present at the signing
ceremony was the Consul General of Brunei Darussalam in Hong Kong SAR, Hajah
Ainatol Zahayu binti POKSD Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad.
Chief Justice DSP Steven Chong and Secretary of Justice Mr Paul Lam
3. In his remarks, the Chief Justice described the memorandum as a ‘significant
milestone’ between Brunei Darussalam and Hong Kong SAR on cooperation for issues
relating to dispute avoidance and resolution. The Chief Justice said that the MOC will
‘serve as a key pillar for cooperation’ and affords ‘an excellent platform to strengthen
communication’ and ‘facilitate mutual learning and promote collaborative initiatives’.
4. The MOC serves as a framework of enhanced cooperation which will greatly benefit
both Brunei Darussalam and Hong Kong SAR in promoting better outcomes in the
resolution of disputes, greater confidence in doing business, and enhancing access to
justice. This is the second MOC signed between the Supreme Court of Brunei
Darussalam and other jurisdictions, following the signing of a MOC with the Supreme
People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China on 21 September 2004.
5. During his visit to Hong Kong from 4 to 7 May 2023, the Chief Justice called on Chief
Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong SAR and also met with Mr Justice Poon, Chief Judge of the High Court of Hong Kong SAR.
The bilateral meetings included visits to the Court of Final Appeal, the High Court and
West Kowloon Law Courts Building where the Chief Justice and his delegation held
fruitful discussions on areas including case management, court administration, judicial
education and training, the use of mediation and developments on the use of
technology in court.
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Chief Justice DSP Steven Chong and Chief Justice Andrew Cheung
6. The Chief Justice and his delegation also visited dispute resolution bodies in Hong
Kong, including the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, the eBRAM
International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and the Hong Kong International
Arbitration Centre.
7. The signing of the MOC and meetings and visits by the Chief Justice and delegation are
a testament to the long history and warm friendship between Brunei Darussalam and
Hong Kong SAR. Hong Kong SAR has been a part of Brunei Darussalam’s legal heritage
for over 60 years where in 1963 arrangements were made with the Hong Kong
Government for Judges of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong to sit as Judges of the
Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam. It was also then the practice for the Chief Justice
of Hong Kong to be appointed as the Chief Justice of Brunei Darussalam or appointed
as President of the Court of Appeal. This long-standing judicial arrangement with Hong
Kong officially ended in 1993 however Brunei Darussalam continues to rely on the
services of retired Hong Kong judges to fill appointments in its judiciary until today.
The Brunei Darussalam and Hong Kong SAR delegations at the MOC signing, 4 May 2023
8. The Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam looks forward to seeing the relationship with
Hong Kong SAR grow from strength to strength in the years to come and hopes to
work closely together in furtherance of the MOC to serve the common interest of both
Brunei Darussalam and Hong Kong SAR.
SUPREME COURT OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
WEDNESDAY 10 MAY 2023
