Media Release: Singapore And Indonesia Further Enhance Bilateral Judicial Relations With Signing Of Memorandum Of Understanding To Promote Bilateral Judicial Cooperation

SINGAPORE AND INDONESIA FURTHER ENHANCE BILATERAL
JUDICIAL RELATIONS WITH SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING TO PROMOTE BILATERAL JUDICIAL COOPERATION

On 7 November 2023, the Supreme Court of Singapore and Supreme Court of Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for judicial cooperation. The MOU marks a milestone in the bilateral collaboration between the two judiciaries and is a testament to the strong ties between Singapore and Indonesia.

Strengthening of bilateral ties

2           From 6 to 8 November 2023, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and a delegation from the Supreme Court of Singapore paid a visit to the Supreme Court of Indonesia, following an earlier visit in March 2023 to develop frameworks for international commercial dispute resolution.

3           On the first day of the visit, Chief Justice Menon held a bilateral meeting with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Indonesia, Prof Dr Muhammad Syarifuddin. The two Chief Justices discussed the different avenues of strategic interest for collaboration between the two judiciaries, such as cooperation in cross-border insolvency and restructuring, matters relating to international commercial courts, and judicial training and exchanges. Chief Justice Menon also called on the President of the Central Jakarta District Court, Judge Dr Liliek P Adi SH MH.

Memorandum of Understanding for Judicial Cooperation Signed

4           The MOU, signed by Chief Justice Menon and Chief Justice Prof Dr Muhammad Syarifuddin, identifies four specific areas for collaboration: namely, cross-border commercial law; international commercial courts and international commercial dispute resolution; the International Consortium for Court Excellence and International Framework for Court Excellence; and judicial education and training.

5           Chief Justice Menon said: “The MOU is a landmark instrument, which lays a firm foundation for the judiciaries of Indonesia and Singapore to deepen and strengthen our bilateral cooperation in areas including international commercial disputes, court excellence, and judicial education and training. The MOU will open up many avenues for collaboration, and pave the way to an enduring and vibrant partnership between our two judiciaries in the years to come.”

Speeches delivered by Chief Justice Menon

6           Following the MOU signing ceremony, Chief Justice Menon delivered a speech titled “International Mediation and the Role of the Courts” to the Indonesian Judiciary. In his speech, Chief Justice Menon spoke on the role of international mediation in advancing the settlement of international family disputes and international commercial disputes, and also addressed how the courts can promote international mediation.

7           Chief Justice Menon also gave an address titled “International Collaboration in the Transnational System of Commercial Justice” at the International Seminar on Cross Border Dispute Resolution organised by the Judicial Research, Development and Training Agency of the Supreme Court of Indonesia, and which was attended by judges, law practitioners and academics. The speech touched on the role and importance of international collaboration between institutions in the transnational system of commercial justice

8           At a subsequent panel discussion on contemporary challenges in resolving commercial cross border disputes, Justice Aedit Abdullah and Justice S Mohan spoke about cross-border insolvency and international arbitration.

Fireside chat at the Judicial Training Centre

9           Chief Justice Menon paid a visit to the Judicial Training Centre in Bogor and engaged in a fireside chat with Indonesian judges and judicial training participants, along with Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Justice Pang Khang Chau and Justice Syamsul Maarif of the Supreme Court of Indonesia. A lively discussion ensued, covering topics such as the future of judging, the impact of generative artificial intelligence and technology, the importance of judicial training and lifelong learning, the relevance of international judicial engagement and the emergence of international commercial courts.


8 November 2023
SUPREME COURT OF SINAGPORE