Judiciary News and Current Issues

 

​1. The National Committee of the Brunei Chapter of ASEAN Law Association (ALA) attended the 46th Meeting of the Governing Council held from 13 to 15 November 2025 in Singapore. This meeting was hosted by the ASEAN Law Association (Singapore Chapter). The meeting brought together Governing Council members from all ALA National Committees across ASEAN, including Judges, Judicial Officers, legal academics, private practitioners and government legal officers. As the governing body of ALA, the Governing Council convenes annually to discuss matters related to the policy direction and steering of the Association.

2. Brunei Darussalam’s delegation was headed by The Honourable Judicial Commissioner Muhammed Faisal bin PDJLD DSP Haji Kefli in his capacity as Chair of ALA Brunei National Committee. He was accompanied by members of the ALA Brunei National Committee comprising members of the Judiciary, the Attorney General’s Chambers, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, and the Law Society.

3. The official programme commenced on 13 November 2025 with the SICC–SAL Seminar on International Disputes, jointly organised by the Singapore International Commercial Court and the Singapore Academy of Law. The seminar featured two panel discussions focusing on developments in cross-border trade and investment and on cross-border insolvency frameworks in ASEAN, with contributions from members of ASEAN judiciaries and leading legal practitioners. 

4. On 14 November 2025, the 46th Governing Council Meeting was convened and chaired by the President of ALA, Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat. During the opening session, Judicial Commissioner Muhammed Faisal delivered opening remarks on behalf of Brunei Darussalam, reaffirming the country’s support for ALA’s efforts in strengthening legal cooperation and professional exchange within the region. The Governing Council reviewed reports on the progress of ongoing ALA initiatives, capacity-building programmes for ASEAN legal professionals, and proposals for the continuing development of ALA’s Standing Committees. The meeting also highlighted cooperation with other ASEAN bodies to promote greater  harmonisation of legal understanding and enhanced accessibility to legal training and development opportunities across Member States. 

5. Held in conjunction with the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ) events, delegates attended the Seminar on the Transnational Practice of Law in ASEAN and concurrent meetings for the ASEAN Insolvency Practitioners and Judges and the ASEAN Intellectual Property Practitioners and Judges. 

6. The 47th Meeting of the ALA Governing Council is expected to be hosted by Thailand in 2026.

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