Australian and Indonesian Courts renew their commitment to judicial cooperation
The Supreme Court of Indonesia and the Federal and Family Courts of Australia recently extended their judicial cooperation agreement for another year. The signing of the new Annex to their Memorandum of Understanding occurred in Brisbane, Australia on 3 October 2012. The activities outlined in the Annex build on a long successful program of work between the courts.
The program for the next 12 months will focus on enhancing access to justice, particularly for poor and marginalised communities, and on institutional strengthening to support their access. In particular, the cooperation will focus on strengthening delivery of services to the justice seeker through court fee waivers, circuit courts and legal aid posts in courts. Lessons learnt during the 2012 internship program with the Federal Court will be consolidated, and a framework for mediation in civil cases will be institutionalised. Other initiatives will include developing excellence in class actions, and advancing the implementation of the code of conduct for registrars and other court staff.
Chief Justice Hon Dr M Hatta Ali, SH, MH, of the Supreme Court of Indonesia said, “Despite differences (language, system of law, and political relations) the Courts continue to communicate and work productively and generate many important outcomes.”
Chief Justice Patrick Keane of the Federal Court of Australia said the relationship is as important now as it was when the first MOU was signed almost ten years ago. “It has been valuable and highly rewarding, providing us with the opportunity of learning from one another. We are deeply committed to supporting the reform process and ensuring our commitment is for the long term,” he said.
Chief Justice Diana Bryant of the Family Court of Australia added, “The Family Court of Australia is pleased to continue its professional association with the Indonesian Courts … together we have witnessed incredible change in improving access to justice in a relatively short period of time.”
The cooperation between the courts is supported under the Australian Aid law and justice program, the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Justice (funded $50 million for 2011-15). It forms an integral part of AIPJ’s strategy of realising rights: the right to legal identity through birth, marriage and divorce certificates, the right to fair proceedings (independent and impartial, as well as fast, consistent, affordable and accessible) and the right to legal information.
The AIPJ Program Director and the Senior Manager, Court Reform accompanied the Supreme Court delegation to the signing ceremony in Brisbane.
