Developing the region’s judicial system and the role played by justice chiefs when enhancing legal systems are the main topics at the 13th conference of judicial heads from Asian and Pacific countries which opened in Ho Chi Minh City on Nov. 9.

At the start of the conference, the Chief of Justice of Vietnam’s Supreme People’s Court, Truong Hoa Binh said the exchange of information and knowledge between countries and territories in the region would be useful for each nation to develop its own judicial system.

He also underlined that the conference is a significant event for Vietnam as the country is currently undergoing far reaching judicial reforms, focusing mainly on courts and trial activities.

On addressing the event, Paul de Jersey, the Chief of Justice of the Australian state of Queensland and President of the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA) said that the conference, which has been held every two years in rotation for the past 24 years, was invaluable for the countries taking part. Its aim is to attract the participation of countries with various forms of legal systems, as one country’s experiences are useful to the development of others.

The four-day conference will discuss developing and reforming judicial systems, the role of justice chiefs and the independence of courts while promoting public awareness and judicial morals.

The conference is being attended by nearly 80 heads of justice, judges and specialists from the supreme and provincial-level courts of 29 regional countries and territories.

As a rule, the conference coincides with the LAWASIA conference, so justice chiefs can attend several events related to judicial operations./.