Australian and Indonesian courts extend their judicial cooperation agreement

Fostering partnerships is a cross-cutting theme for AIPJ. The program’s approach involves a strong commitment to developing partnerships between Indonesian and Australian law and justice institutions. This is in recognition that some of the most successful activities under previous Australian assistance to the sector have involved peer-to-peer linkages. There is also growing Australian whole-of-government interest in building partnerships with counterparts in Indonesia.  

In late September 2011, AIPJ arranged a 2-day visit to Indonesia by the Honourable Chief Justice Patrick Keane of the Federal Court of Australia, the Honourable Chief Justice Diana Bryant of the Family Court of Australia and senior officials of both Courts. The visit symbolised continuing judicial cooperation with the Supreme Court of Indonesia with the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The original MoU was signed in 2004. The visit was also dedicated to the three courts implementing activities of their current MoU. 

Over the next 12 months, the Courts will continue to cooperate in relation to:

• Strengthening the delivery of services provided by information desks at Religious Courts in Indonesia
• Improving the delivery of compulsory mediation services in family law cases in Indonesia
• An internship program at the Federal Court for Supreme Court staff focusing on client services and case management
• Sharing practical experiences and best practice in the development of judgment templates and a code of conduct for registrars and other staff of the Supreme Court

The cooperation will include periodic meetings and discussions between justices and staff of the courts. These activities are in line with the Indonesian Supreme Court’s Blueprint for Reform 2010-2035.