| UK-BRUNEI JUDICIAL COOPERATION SEMINAR SERIES | Monday, 22 May 2023
1. On 22 May 2023, the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam, the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam and the Slynn Foundation organised a virtual seminar delivered by the Honourable Justice Jeremy Baker.
2. At the seminar, Mr Justice Baker spoke on the ‘The Use of Expert Witnesses in Criminal Cases’ and gave an overview of what constitutes expert evidence, how to regulate expert evidence and in what circumstances it may be deployed in the course of a criminal trial in England and Wales.
3. In attendance at the event together with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam, the Honourable Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong were the British High Commissioner, John Virgoe, and Chairman of the Slynn Foundation, the Rt. Hon. Sir Stephen Irwin. Participants in the seminar included members of the Judiciary, the Attorney General’s Chambers, Law Society, Syariah Courts, Judge Advocate General’s Office, Prime Minister’s Office and Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA).
4. The event commenced with welcoming remarks from the Chief Justice. He stated that “expert witnesses have an overriding duty to the court and the provision of clear, unbiased and reliable expert evidence is paramount in any criminal justice system.” The Chief Justice highlighted the Supreme Court’s regular engagement with the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam and the Slynn Foundation and how “enhancing cooperation through seminars such as these not only reflects our Judiciary’s excellent relationship with our counterparts in England and Wales but also advances our common aspiration to promote the Rule of Law.” He also expressed his sincere appreciation to both the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam and the Slynn Foundation for their continued support of the Judiciary.
5. British High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr. John Virgoe said that he was delighted to continue the collaboration between the British High Commission, Brunei Supreme Court and the Slynn Foundation. He shared that the UK and Brunei Darussalam share a common legal heritage and a strong commitment to the rule of law. This is a central part of our bilateral relationship and the UK is committed to strengthening judicial cooperation between our two countries. To this end, the High Commissioner was delighted by the recent visit of the Chief Justice, Dato Steven Chong, to the UK in February 2023, which was a great opportunity to explore how we can increase our cooperation through training and capacity-building activities.
6. Chairman of the Slynn Foundation, the Rt. Hon. Sir Stephen Irwin, expressed his thanks to the Supreme Court of Brunei and the British High Commission for their support of the Slynn Foundation lectures. The Slynn Foundation works with senior judges and justice institutions around the world to enhance the rule of law, and to improve professional understanding of human rights, mediation, and legal practice. Through this series of lectures by leading legal experts the Foundation seeks to support the aims of the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam to continue to share and exchange knowledge in the areas of Common law strengthening the friendships established in 2021.
Notes to Editors:
The Hon. Mr Justice Jeremy Baker was appointed a Justice of the High Court (QBD) in March 2013. Called in 1979, Silk in 1999, he was appointed a Recorder in 2000 and a Circuit Judge in 2010, and also sat as a deputy High Court Judge. A proud member of the North Eastern Circuit, he formerly practised at Sheffield’s Paradise Chambers and specialised in criminal cases, both prosecuting and defending serious and sensitive cases. His practice covered police disciplinary and coronial inquest matters, together with medical malpractice and HSE work.
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