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1. On Tuesday 25 February 2025, The Right Honourable Lord Patrick Stewart Hodge, Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom delivered a keynote lecture on ‘The Impact of the Supreme Court on the Wider Economy.’
2. Prior to the keynote lecture, Lord Hodge called on The Honourable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong. During the bilateral meeting, the Chief Justice and Lord Hodge held fruitful discussions on areas of cooperation including the filing of civil appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC), developments on the use of technology in court, and judicial education and training.
3. In attendance at the keynote lecture together with the Chief Justice were the Attorney General, Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib, Chief Syarie Judge, Yang Amat Arif/Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar,e Deputy Minister (Civil Service Governance) at the Prime Minister’s Office, Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Mohd Riza bin Dato Padula Haji Mohd Yunos and the Acting British High Commissioner, Captain Jonathan Caple.
4. 125 participants who attended in person included those from the Judiciary, Attorney General's Chambers, Law Society of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Brunei Darussalam Arbitration Centre, Brunei Economic Development Board, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA), and Laksamana College of Business. 27 online participants comprised those from the Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean Judiciaries, which included The Right Honourable Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat of the Federal Court of Malaysia.
5. The event commenced with welcoming remarks by Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong where he highlighted how in recent years, the relationship between the two judiciaries has strengthened significantly and that this marked the first time a senior member of the UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) has come to Brunei Darussalam. He stated that this is of particular significance as the JCPC serves as the final court of appeal for civil matters in Brunei Darussalam.
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6. The Chief Justice spoke on how judicial cooperation has become a cornerstone of the relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom and “underscores our shared commitment to maintaining the Rule of Law and fostering strong judicial ties through regular exchanges of knowledge and expertise.” He also expressed his gratitude to the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam for their continued support.
7. In introducing the keynote lecture on ‘The Impact of the Supreme Court on the Wider Economy’, the Chief Justice said that Lord Hodge’s insights and knowledge “provide a valuable opportunity for dialogue between our judiciaries and the broader legal community on issues at the intersection of law and the economy.” He added that “judicial decisions do not exist in a vacuum – they shape industries, influence markets and affect the everyday lives of businesses and individuals alike. The Court’s influence extends far beyond legal theory and the impact of judgments can reach boardrooms, policymakers and also consumers in driving investor confidence and steering economic growth.”
8. The Chief Justice stated that “the connection between law, commerce, and economic development is well established” and emphasized his belief that “public trust in a judiciary and its judgments contributes significantly to economic prosperity and global standing.”
9. Lord Hodge is in the country for a 5-day Working Visit, from 24 February to 1 March 2025. Lord Hodge has served as a Justice of the Supreme Court and the JCPC since 1 October 2013 and was appointed as Deputy President in January 2020. Appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1996, before becoming a Supreme Court Justice Lord Hodge worked as a judge in Scotland, Jersey and Guernsey.
SUPREME COURT OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2025
