PH, Australia sign 2nd accord on understanding of legal frameworks

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SCP) shows the Memorandum of Understanding between the SCP and FCA, which they both signed. The hybrid MOU signing was held at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court of the Philippines on May 15, 2024. With Chief Justice Gesmundo are (from left) Associate Justices Maria Filomena Singh, Antonio Kho, Jr., Samuel Gaerlan and Amy Lazaro-Javier; and Dr. Moya Collett (right), Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine and Australian governments have signed a judicial partnership anew for a stronger relations between them and to forge a deeper understanding of their legal frameworks.

During the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony held at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines last May 15, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said the agreement has formalized a new phase in the decades-old ties between the two countries.

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“We cement a long-standing relation through new and innovative ways of bettering our court services and improving the quality of our justice service duty-bearers,” he said, as quoted in a statement.

“This Memorandum of Understanding will cover an initial five-year period, and hopefully, will be renewed thereafter,” he noted.

“But just for its initial year, we shall already commence with three groundbreaking initiatives – the first on Competition Law, the second on Multi-Party Litigation or Class Actions, and the third on Administrative Support Functions for our Regional Court Managers Program,” he said.

Meanwhile, Australian Chief Justice Debra Sue Mortimer backed up Germundo’s remarks, adding that the agreement has recognized the strength of the countries’ “long existing relationship.”

The SC said the MOU aims to enhance its capacity to implement a judicial reform program in accordance with its Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027.

It added this is the second accord between the SC and the Australian judiciary.

The first one was forged last May 8 together with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

The SC said it focuses on enhancing access to family courts for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society and capacity-building initiatives on human trafficking, online sexual abuse, and exploitation of children.