Press Release: Singapore And Rwanda Judiciaries Sign Memoranda Of Understanding And Guidance To Enhance Judicial Cooperation And Enforce Money Judgments

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of the Supreme Court of Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Judicial Cooperation and a Memorandum of Guidance (MoG) as to Enforcement of Money Judgments with Chief Justice Dr. Faustin Ntezilyayo of the Supreme Court of Rwanda today. The agreements are the first such between the two Courts, further elevating the excellent bilateral judicial relations between both countries.

2 The signing ceremony was conducted via video conference and was attended by Judges, senior officials from both Courts and the High Commission of Rwanda, Singapore.

3 The MoU was made possible by the Singapore and Rwanda Judiciaries’ shared commitment to court excellence. The two Judiciaries will work collaboratively to share experiences and best practices in areas of common interest. There will be regular exchanges to facilitate mutual learning and enhance the fair and efficient administration of justice and effective court governance.

4 Both parties also signed a MoG to promote understanding of the applicable laws and judicial processes pertaining to the recognition and enforcement of foreign money judgments in their respective jurisdictions, thereby boosting business confidence in both countries.

5 Speaking after the virtual ceremony, Chief Justice Menon expressed his delight at the opportunity for both Judiciaries to work together. He said: “The signing of the MoU and the MoG bears testament to the warm friendship between the Singapore and Rwanda Judiciaries. By tapping on each other’s knowledge and building on each other’s best practices in court management, it demonstrates our resolve to further develop the legal and judicial expertise of the two jurisdictions as we continue to learn, improve, and adapt to the post-pandemic environment. In particular, the MoG will also boost the attractiveness of the Singapore Courts as a forum for the resolution of cross-border commercial disputes. I welcome the continued exploration of new areas of cooperation between both Courts for the benefit of our people.”

6 Chief Justice Ntezilyayo added: “The signing of the MOU will enable mutual exchanges on different matters of interest, such as leveraging Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) to improve the administration of justice.”

7 At the signing ceremony, both Chief Justices reaffirmed the warm friendship between the two Courts and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including the responses taken to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUPREME COURT OF SINGAPORE
19 APRIL 2021