Brunei’s Attorney General Datin Paduka Hjh Hayati binte POKSDSP Hj Mohd Salleh yesterday lauded the Chief Justice’s call for more locals to join the legal profession and hoped to continue recruiting more legally qualified officers, sharing the Chief Justice’s concerns on the decrease in law graduates.

Speaking at the Opening of the Legal Year 2010, the Attorney General also suggested that maybe judiciary officers and the Attorney General’s Chambers could work together with the Law Society and Ministry of Education on efforts to encourage more students to study law and join the profession.

“We also look forward to the first batch of law graduates from UNISSA to join us in the future.

“It is indeed a privilege and honour for me to address your lordship as the first Bruneian to be appointed as chief justice of Brunei Darussalam.

“Your lordship’s appointment is indeed an important milestone in the history of the judiciary and Brunei Darussalam, and it is a big step forward towards realising His Majesty’s laudable vision in His Majesty’s ‘titah’ during the opening of the Supreme Court Building in 1984, that, in the long- term, it is His Majesty’s wish that all legal and judicial appointments should be filled by qualified and suitable citizens of Brunei Darussalam,” she added.

The Attorney General expressed hopes that there will be a suitable ‘sister judge’ who will take a place in the Justice Division.

“As of March 8, 2010, we theoretically have 31 officers in the Civil Division, 29 officers in the Criminal Justice Division, 14 officers in the International Affairs Division, 10 officers in the Legislative Drafting Division and six officers in the Registries Division,” she pointed out, before explaining each division’s increasing complexity and volume of their roles.

“Effectively, however, the strength is much less since we have officers who are also doing part-time courses at UNISSA, some officers seconded to various ministries and government departments, some on further studies and doing their Bar in the United Kingdom and Australia, and attending courses and meetings overseas.

“We have also been affected by resignation and transfers, for personal reasons and for greener pastures, although the number is still fortunately quite small,” she added.

“The Civil Division continues to play a crucial role in our capacity as legal advisor to the government on a whole range of matters. At present, officers of the division also have to deal with government debt recovery.

“Although we are pleased to be able to recover over $4,000,000 in debts in 2009, it does however take up a lot of the officers’ time, which could otherwise be spent on the core business such as on advisory matters, contracts vetting and drafting, and on legal awareness briefings to government departments and the public.

“I am working with the head of Civil Division to look into the possibility and practicality of outsourcing the debt recovery cases, subject to the government of His Majesty’s approval. I must emphasise, however, it is important for the relevant government agencies to exercise due diligence in collecting the amount due and not to allow them to accumulate.

“The workload for our prosecutors continues to increase. In 2009, a total of 1,932 investigation papers were received. We fully support your lordship’s call for cases to be dealt with expeditiously.

“Indeed, I have been working closely with the Criminal Justice Division on this issue. A system of designating specialised officers to deal with particular offences, better tracking of investigation papers, a review of work processes, and a regular audit amongst others, have been implemented.

“Two DPPs have been seconded to the Anti-Corruption Bureau and one DPP to the Royal Brunei Police Force.

“We therefore support your lordship’s call for the appointment of more judicial officers especially in the subordinate courts.

“The practice in Chambers is that all new young officers will first join the Criminal Justice Division with the aim that they will be involved in litigation which, I feel, is important and useful for their development, to build their confidence and advocacy skills. They will also be given continuous training.”

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