รายงาน ALA และ CACJ 2019

The HCCH: Its Work
HCCH Apostill

41st ASEAN Law Association 
Phuket, Thailan

Frank Poon, Re
HCCH Regional Office f

k/Methods and the
le Convention 

 Governing Council Meeting
nd 21 Nov 2019

Representative
for Asia and the Pacific

HCCH Co

orporate Video

What is th

 An intergovernmental organi
mandate (not a court or tribu

 Works toward “progressive u
international law”  (Art. 1 of 

 Develops and adopts Hague C
(currently 38 +1 new yet in fo
dealing with:

(1) Int’l Legal Co‐operation &
(2) Int’l Family Law & Child P
(3) Int’l Commercial Law & F
Convention Concluded on 2

 Practical outcomes, with dire
people (children and adults), 
investors

he HCCH?

isation – with a legislative
unal) – origin goes back to 1893

unification of the rules of private 
 the Statute)

Conventions and Protocols
orce + 1 soft law instrument), 

& Litigation (int. civ. proc.)
Protection 
Finance Law (new Judgments 
2 July 2019)

ect impact and benefits for 
 commercial operators and 

Resulting Benefits of H

Facilitating international trade, comm

1 For example, the Apostille, Se
to Justice, Judgments, Cho
Conventions, as well as the H
predictability and establish
climate more conducive to c
these Conventions also grea
operation between States

Giving effect to human rights

2 For example, the Child Abdu
Support Conventions give eff
the 1989 UN Convention on t
(see also Hague Adults Conv
the 2006 UN Convention on t

Hague Conventions

merce and foreign direct investment

ervice of Process, Taking of Evidence, Access
oice of Court and the new Judgments
Hague Principles provide legal certainty and

uniform global standards, leading to a
cross‐border trade and investment; some of
atly enhance administrative and judicial co‐

uction, Child Protection, Adoption, and Child
fect to fundamental principles expounded in
the Rights of the Child
vention which furthers some of the goals of
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)

Number of Contracting Parties (incl. St
bound by the Core Hague Conv

120
110
100

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

0

tates & REIOs)
ventions

Apostille
(118)
Adoption
(101)
Abduction
(101)

Service (75)

Evidence (62)

Child Protection (52)
Form of Wills (42)
Maintenance (C) (41)
Choice of Court (32)
Maintenance (P) (30)
Access to Justice (28)

Trusts (14)
Adults (12)
Securities (3)

accessions,
ratifications,
& approvals

instead of

27,137
bilateral
conventions

total

The HCCH & A

Thailand, Cambodia and Brunei ar
Members of the HCCH, but th

“connected” States – a party to at
HCCH Convention

ASEAN (1)

Of the 10 ASEAN 

Member States:

4

are HCCH Members

(Malaysia, Singapore, 

Philippines and 

Vietnam)

7

re not (yet)  are “connected” 
hey are  to the HCCH
t least one 

The HCCH & A

 ASEAN Economic Community (EC):

 Blueprint 2025 
(adopted Nov 2015)

 Regional Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership (ASEAN+5) – 3rd Summit

 ASEAN ha
significan
economic

 Long‐term
on the civ
streamlin

 A uniform
enable ex
efficient a
between 
RCEP mem

ASEAN (2)

as on several occasions emphasised the 
nt role of sound legal framework in fostering 
c and social development
m sustainability of the ASEAN EC/RCEP relies 
vil procedures and commercial law being 
ned and modernised
m and harmonised legal framework will 
xisting domestic infrastructures to ensure fair, 
and cost‐effective resolution of disputes 
 parties from different ASEAN States and 
mbers

The HCCH & A

For example:
Apostille, Service, and Evidence Conven

 efficiently manage cross‐border civi
potential witnesses and evidence are

Choice of Court Convention + newly con
 render litigation a more attractive a
thus maintaining cost‐effective comp
jurisdictions established as internatio

By joining Hague Conventions, ASEAN State
place a significant part of the coherent, c
framework requisite for effe

ASEAN (3)

ntions: 
il procedure where intended defendants, 
e situated in different ASEAN countries
ncluded Judgments Convention:
alternative for dispute‐resolution, 
petition with arbitration in ASEAN 
onal commercial arbitration centres

es would, almost instantly, be able to put in 
credible and workable cross‐border legal 
ective economic integration

HCCH Apostille 

1961 HCCH 
Abolishing the R

Legalis
for Foreign Pub

 Convention

 Convention
Requirement of
sation
blic Documents 

Effective and widesprea
Apostille Con

 The most widely ratified /acceded  1
to of all the Hague Conventions 1
1
 Facilitate cross border trade, 
movement of people, and improve 
ease of doing business

 118 Contracting States (among 
ASEAN States, Brunei and 
Philippines are parties) 

 Millions of Apostilles 
issued every year

ad operation of the 
nvention

140
120
100

80
60
40
20

0
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2017

Many others are co

Canada Ir

Cuba
Guyana

Saudi
Arabia

Ethiopia
Partner St
East Africa

NB: Boundaries on this map are based upon those used by the UN Cartographic Section. The number of States reflects th

onsidering joining

Turkmenistan China
ran

Qatar Viet Nam
Singapore Philippines
Palau
Indonesia
Malaysia

tates of the
an Community

he Parties as recorded by the Depositary (NL MFA). Neither should be taken to imply official endorsement or acceptance.

Principal A

The Apostille Con
foreign investment and intern

World Bank Group & Internati

Advantages

nvention facilitates
national trade and commerce

ional Chamber of Commerce

Production of public d
without the Aposti

STATE OF ORIGIN Public  1st authentication 
Document (e.g. civil registry)

executed in the 
State of Origin

L

STATE OF DESTINATION Public 
Document

ready to be 
produced in the 

State of 
Destination

documents abroad
ille Convention

2nd authentication  3rd authentication 
(Ministry of Justice) (Ministry of 

Foreign Affairs)

THE  4th authentication 
LEGALISATION  (Consulate of State 

CHAIN of Destination)

5th authentication 
(Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs of State of 

Destination)

for some States Only

Production of public d
with the Apostille

STATE OF ORIGIN Public  ONE STEP
Document PROCESS
STATE OF DESTINATION
executed in the  PR
State of Origin T
C
Public 
Document

ready to be 
produced in the 

State of 
Destination

documents abroad
e Convention

APOSTILLE issued by 
Competent Authority in 

State of Origin

SIMPLIFIED 
ROCESS UNDER 
THE APOSTILLE 
CONVENTION

Verification of APOSTILLE 
using register kept by 

Competent Authority of 
State of Origin

Effect of an A

 Competent Authority respon
origin
of the public document

Article 5(2)

 authenticity of the signature
 capacity in which the person

has acted; 
 where appropriate, the ident

the document bears

 The Apostille certifies only t
document, not its content (n
content)

 Once issued, an Apostille pro
Contracting States (and nev

Apostille

nsible for verifying the 

e;
n signing the document 
tity of the seal or stamp which

the origin of a public 
no obligation to verify
oduces effect in all other
ver expires!)

Issuance of A

Model Form
 10 Standard Terms in English/F

(+ language of State – bilingual/trilingua

 Completed in English/French o
official language of Competen
Authority

Fees
 The Convention is silent on fee

some Contracting States issue 
Apostilles for free, but most ch
fee 

(average fee = 17 USD)
 Fees allow States to recover re

lost from legalisation services

Apostilles

French 

al)

or 
nt 

es: 
harge a 
evenue 

Additional 
the Apostille

• Saving time and money: the one‐step
authenticating documents

• Freeing up consular resources: allows
serving citizens’ and companies’ othe

• Accessibility: the user no longer need
the receiving State for authentication
Apostille is recognised in all other Co

• Facilitates international exchanges: (
for mobility of people; more attractiv

 benefits of 
e Convention

p process reduces the time and costs of 

s consular staff to concentrate on 
er needs
d to travel to the (nearest) Consulate of 
n purposes AND once issued, the 
ontracting States to the Convention
(both private and commercial), better 
ve for foreign investment

The e‐APP (electronic 
Two Comp

STATE OF ORIGIN Public  Executed in 
Document electronic 

executed  format
in State 
of origin Executed in 
paper then 
scanned* PR
TH
*Subject to  C
domestic law

STATE OF DESTINATION Public 
Document

ready to be 
produced in the 

State of 
destination

 Apostille Program)
ponents

(1) e‐Apostille

Electronic
APOSTILLE issued by 
Competent Authority in 

State of origin

SIMPLIFIED 
ROCESS UNDER 
HE APOSTILLE 
CONVENTION

(2) e‐Register

Electronic

Verification of APOSTILLE 
using Register kept 
Competent Authority

Publica

Bri
ABCs of Apostilles Impleme

Gui

ations

ief Apostille 
entation Handbook
ide

Frank Poon, 
HCCH Regional Office 

fp@hc

www.hc

 Representative
 for Asia and the Pacific

cch.net

cch.net 

40TH GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE ASEAN LAW ASSOCIATION

28 July, 2018
Raffles City Convention Centre

Singapore

I. THE ASEAN LAW ASSOCIATION ANTHEM

II. CALL TO ORDER

The Chairman, Hon. Atty. Avelino V. Cruz, President of ALA called the meeting
to order and presided over the same.

III. CERTIFICATION OF QUORUM

The President requested the Secretary General of ALA, Atty. Regina P. Geraldez,
to certify that a quorum exists to proceed with the meeting. The Secretary General
certified that there being nine (9) of the ten (10) member countries of ALA duly
represented at the meeting, a quorum exists in accordance with Article 6.5 of the
ALA Constitution.

Cambodia was present as of two days before the Governing Council Meeting but
had to leave due to the on-going elections in Cambodia.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE 38TH GOVERNING COUNCIL
MEETING IN BRUNEI

The minutes were approved adopted without amendment.

V. INDUCTION OF THE LATE FIRST AND FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF
ALA, EDGARDO J. ANGARA, TO THE ALA HALL OF FAME

Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Atty. Avelino V. Cruz, ALA
President, Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban, (ret.), Chairman, Philippine
National Committee, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Chairman, Singapore
National Committee led the induction of the late first and founding President of
ALA, Hon. Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who passed away in MayJune 2018, to
the ALA Hall of Fame.

The ALA elevated posthumously elevated the late ALA Founding President Hon.
Senator Edgardo J. Anagara to ALA Hall of Fame in recognition of: (i) his
unparalleled commitment as an educator, lawyer, reformist, banker, farmer,
patron of the arts, and public servant, which he will be long remembered by the
lives whichpeople whom he had positively affected by many generations to come;
(ii) his significant contributions to the ALA, elected as its first and founding
president in 1980, and for making ALAit a vibrant and strong institution
comprising of exemplary members fromof the legal profession for both the public
and private sectors across the ASEAN region; (iii) his distinguished service to the

1

ASEAN nations, where he is a thus becoming a source of pride and inspiration,
for all citizens of the ASEAN; (iv) his proven competence, integrity and work
ethics , in fostering unity and partnership among ASEAN nations and in
promoting legal excellence within and ASEAN cooperation and integration, and
(v) all other significant contributions to the ALA. . The ALA elevated
posthumously, the late Hon. Senator Edgardo J. Angara, ALA Founding
President, to the ASEAN Law Association Hall of Fame,

Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea was the first to deliver his tribute
remarks for Hon. Senator Edgardo J. Angara. Executive Medialdea talked spoke
about the career of Hon. Senator Angara as one of the youngest delegates in the
1971 Constitutional Convention of the Philippines, and one of the founders of one
of the top law firms in the Philippines, ACCRA Law Offices, one of the top law
firms in the Philippines. Hon Senator Angara was the President of the Philippines
Bar Association back in 1975 and President of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines in 1979. He was had been a senator for twenty-four (24) years and
served as the Senate’s President for two (2) years. In order to promote the practice
of law as a tool for regional growth and development, Early on, Hon. Senator
Angara foresaw the need for lawyers in the ASEAN region to foster camaraderie
in order to promote the practice of law as a tool for regional growth and
development. Thus, it was not a surprise that heand was one of those who worked
hard for the establishment of the ALA. In 1980, he became the founding president
of this robust and ever vibrant band of brothers called ALA.

Executive Secretary Medialdea last met Hon. Senator Angara on 8 May 2018
which happened to be , a few days before Hon. Senator Angarahe passed on. The
meeting with Hon. Senator Angara, on 8 May 2018 was to follow up on the
issuance of an Executive Order for the creation of a national steering committee
to commemorate the historic events that happened from year 1519 such as the
quincentennial arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines where Ferdinand
was eventually defeated by, Philippines’ the victory of our national hero , Lapu
Lapu , in the battle of Mactan and other historic events that happened from year
1519. The objective of the national steering committee purpose was to highlight
the Philippines’ rich cultureal and religious heritage as a nation. Executive
Secretary Medialdea assured Hon. Senator Angara him that the Executive Order
was already in the office of Philippines'the President for signature a few days
before 8 May 2018earlier.

A few days after 8 May 2018, Executive Secretary Medialdea heard a few days
after that Hon. Senator Angara had passed on. Executive Secretary Medialdea
said that when our calling is to serve our country and its people, it dawns on us
that our country and its people deserve nothing but our best – and the good senator
took that to heart.

Subsequently, Hon. Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon next gave his testimonial for
Hon. Senator Angara. Hon. Chief Justice Menon recalled that in 1979, the
Indonesian government hosted a conference entitled “Legal Development in
ASEAN Countries” in Jakarta. That was a gathering of ASEAN judges, law
offices, legal practitioners , and law teachers, and it was there that Hon. Senator
Angara and Professor Tan Sook Yee proposed the creation of a regional

2

organization for lawyers in ASEAN. That proposal was met with universal
acclaim whereand work on the constitution and by-laws soon began in earnest.
The drafts were completed bBy the time of the first General Assembly in Manila
in 1980., the drafts were complete and Hon. Senator Angara was then President
of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines as well as, was the head of the Philippines’
delegation. In view of Hon. Senator Angara’shis outstanding leadership and deep
commitment to the law, the General Assembly had no hesitation in electing him
to be the first president of ALA, a which position which he held for two (2) years.
During that time, Hon. Senator Angara had laid the foundation for the future
growth and development of ALA. and Hhe was hugely respected and greatly
much admired by all ALA members.

Hon. Chief Justice Menon recounted said that Hon. Senator Angara’s
commitment to public service did not cease after he stepped down as President of
ALA. In 1981, he assumed the role of President of the University of the
Philippines, a post which he held for six (6) years untill 1987, when he ran for
public office in 1987. He was successfully elected to the Ssenate in t 1987,
whereich he served untill 1998. D And during thisat time, he was elected
President of the Senate, a position which he held from 1993 to 1995. After leaving
the Senate, he was appointed as Chairman of the Philippines National Bank in
1998 and , and after that took office as Secretary of Agriculture in 1999. He then
returned to the Senate in 2001 and served in that institution for another incredible
twelve (12) years until till 2013.

Remarkable and varied in character, Hon. Senator Angara had an incredible
amazing career – remarkable and varied in character. His He dedication to public
service was recognized by Singapore when he was the first Filipino to be awarded
the Lee Kwan Yew fellowship by the Singapore government in recognition of his
dedication andfor outstanding public service – the first Filipino to be so honored.
Hon. Chief Justice Menon had met him for the first time in 2012 after Hon. Chief
Justice Menon he assumed office as the Chief Justice of Singapore. Still,, but there
arewere many of Hon. Chief Justice Menon’s my colleagues who have been Hon.
Senator Angara’shis friends for a long time – some from the inception of ALA.
These colleagues and who have always spoken admiringly of Hon. Senator
Angara him as a person of great humanity and humility, who was unaffected
either by the trappings power of political office or and the lure of wealth. Hon.
Chief Justice Menon We have met Hon. Senator Angara him during his visit to
Singapore last year and his passing has comecame as a shock to all of them in the
ALA family in Singaporeall ALA members in Singapore.

VI. SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO RETIRED CHIEF JUSTICE KIFRAWI OF
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM BY CHIEF JUSTICE SUNDARESH MENON
OF SINGAPORE

Hon. Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon paid his tribute to retired Hon. Chief Justice
Dato Seri Paduka Haji Kifrawi bin Dato Paduka Haji Kifli of Brunei, one of the
longest serving stalwarts of ALA.

3

Hon. Chief Justice Kifrawi has recently retired from the position of Chief Justice
of Brunei Darussalam. He, has been involved in ALA for more than three (3)
decades, beginning withsince the 6th Governing Council Meeting held in Cebu
City in the Philippines in 1985. Hon. Chief Justice Kifrawi Since then, he has
attended innumerable countless ALA events across the thirty (30) over years that
he has been with ALA.

In his thirty (30) years with the legal service of Brunei, Hon. Chief Justice Kifrawi
has had a longstanding and distinguished career. in public service, in his thirty
(30) years with the legal service of Brunei. He had served his nation with
distinction in a multitude of different roles. He had served as Brunei’s, including
as Principal Counsel, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Official Receiver,
and finally as the Attorney-General – a position which he assumed in 1999 and
which he relinquished in 2009 when he was the first Bruneian to be appointed as
the Chief Justice of Brunei Darussalam, the first Bruneian to be so honored.

On that occasion, members of the Brunei legal profession responded with
universal acclaim, hailing it him as a historic event. Hon. Chief Justice Kifrawi
has always been an active and enthusiastic participant of ALA. As the head of
Brunei’s delegation, he always led by example.

Apart from being a keen supporter of ALA events, Hon. Chief Justice Kifrawi
was also an outstanding host. For many of us, he represented all that was best
about ALA and ASEAN. When Hon. Chief Justice Menon first mooted the idea
of organizing a meeting of the ASEAN Chief Justices on the sidelines of the 34th
ALA General Council Meeting five (5) years ago, Hon. Chief Justice Kifrawi
responded enthusiastically, and in this way, he became one of the founding
members of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ).

Hon. Chief Justice Kifrawi’s belief in collective commitment to continuale
growth and development has indeed bore rich fruit. Over the past year, ALA
witnessed, among other things, the adoption of the CACJ logo, the convening of
the inaugural ASEAN family judges’ forum, and this year’s launch of the ASEAN
judiciary’s portal – an event that took place yesterday. These nautical milestones
would not have been possible without his leadership.

On behalf of the Singapore delegation, Hon. Chief Justice Menon congratulateds
Hon. Chief Justice Kifrawi for all that he has achieved and wisheds him the best
of health and a most happy and joyful retirement.

VII. REMARKS BY ALA PRESIDENT

The ALA President, Atty. Avelino V. Cruz gave his opening remarks. He
welcomed all ALA members and special guests. He discussed the theme for the
ASEAN Law Conference 2018, "Power of One" and added . He said that in
Mathematics, "One" as an exponent denotes a symbol, by which another number
is to be raised. The theme's integer stands for ASEAN integration - something to
raise the 10 nation ASEAN's geo political bloc to unbounded prosperity through
law.

4

The ALA President narrated that when ASEAN was founded in 1967, most
expected it to disbandclose down in a few years in what was then a troubled region
of the cold war. Today, 51 years laterhence, the 10-country ASEAN is an
unparalleled qualified success. The secret of its success is that ASEAN was
founded on the principle of “Mufakat” or consensus (not majority rule), which it
pursued to overcome diversity in race, religion, culture and economic
development.

In 2007, Singapore's Mr.Prof. Tommy Khoh, who was alsothe, Chairman of the
High Level Task Force, noted that "in the drafting of the ASEAN Charter, each
fought to protect its respective national interest, but wasere always ready to
compromise for the common good". Thus, the word “Union” as in "ASEAN
Union" was discardedtrashed aside. In lieu of supra national bodies, the ASEAN
way came to be, which is to give and to take amongst friendly neighbours, and
beyond that mediation and arbitration as modes of settlement.

The ALA President further noted that with its Charter forged in 2007, ASEAN
has moved quickly towards economic integration throughu the ASEAN
Economic Community (“AEC”). Free trade in goods and services is almost
complete. ASEAN’s geo-political bloc of more than 650 million citizens is poised
to become the world’s 5th largest economy by 2020. Such that Prof. Killian
Splander, a German political scientist was compelledmoved to write an intriguing
article titled: “What Can ASEAN Teach the EU”?

On the other hand, the rise of the (10) country ASEAN Law Association or ALA
which was, founded in Jakarta in 1979, mirrors this success story of ASEAN. As
ALA envisions legal cooperation and harmonization of laws, its unique
organization binds together the best legal minds in the ASEAN legal community
such as amongst hhigh cCourt jJudges, bBar sSociety leaders, government
lawyers and teachers of Llaw. ALA is not anthe ordinary client networking Bar
Association. It is now the only law organization designated in the 2007 ASEAN
Charter as the ASEAN's civil society legal advisoer. This, a role was defined in
2009 in Vietnam by former ASEAN Secretary General, the late Surin Pitsuwan.
ALA has since spawned the holding of the CACJ (Council of ASEAN Chief
Justices) meeting at ALA's sidelines, as Due to increasing participation ofmany
of the the Chief Justicesse distinguished gentlemen as the Heads of Delegations
of their respective ALA Chapters, the CACJ (Council of ASEAN Chief Justices)
meeting was conceived at ALA's sidelines. are themselves ALA leaders. With
reference toAs in ASEAN , which has 14 external partners, ALA has likewise
engaged itself in dialogues with external partners such as- China, AIPA and, Inter
Parliamentary Union., and Ttoday, ALA haswe have a distinguished delegation
led by Mr. Vladimir Gruzdev, Chairman of the Association of Russian Lawyers.

The ALA President also highlighted the successful holding of the year-long
ASEAN 50th Anniversary Summit in Manila in 2017 wheren the ten (10) ASEAN
countries interacted with its 14 external partners.

ALA has had years of remarkable success in mutual legal cooperation throughu
general assemblies, standing committees, and ad- hoc committees and even golf

5

chapter networking sessions. However, Ffor ALA to move inexorably towards
the "Power of One", however, the organization must take certainbe pro-active
steps inand confronting the following:

(a) Intensify its role as a think- tank ideas generator particularly in the key ALA
objective of harmonization of laws.

(b) A pro-activeTake initiatives toActively engageement with the ASEAN
Secretariat (ASEC).

(c) Support mediation and arbitration activities to resolve disputes in the manner
provided in the ASEAN Charter.

For these initiatives, ASEAN Law Institute (AsnLI) will be established under the
auspices of ALA to address items (a) to (c).ALA, The set- up of this Institute was
finalized in a special meeting in Cambodia only lastin June 2018. ASEAN Law ,
finalized the setting up of an ASEAN Law Institute under the auspices of ALA.
The InstituteAsnLI will puts in place an ALA-wide legal infrastructure, a central
legal think- tank as an operational arm of a work horse of its ALA Governing
Council to promotethat will promote capacity building, facilitate exchange
programs, host legal forums, managehandle publications and journals, and
monitor ASEAN treaties and agreements. On 28 July 2018 Saturday, this project
awaits confirmation by the ALA Governing Council.

The ALA President narrated expressed grateful appreciation for the generous
boundless hospitality of the Singapore National Committee under the able
leadership of its Chairman, Chief Justice Menon.

VIII. INTRODUCTION OF DELEGATIONS BY HEADS OF DELEGATIONS

The delegates from the following ALA member countries with their respective
heads of delegations were recognized, and each of them, except Singapore, the
host member, expressed their thanks gratitude and appreciation to the Singapore
National Committee for graciously hosting the 40th Governing Council Meeting.

1. Hon. Dato Paduka Haji Hairol Arni bin Haji Abdul Majid, Head of Delegation
of the National Committee of Brunei Darussalam

2. Hon. Chief Justice Prof. Dr. H. Muhammad Hatta Ali, Head of Delegation of
the National Committee of Indonesia

3. Hon. Phomsouvanh Philachanh, Head of Delegation of Laos PDR

4. Hon. Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, Head of Delegation of the
National Committee of Malaysia

5. Hon. H.E.U. Win Myint, Head of Delegation of Myanmar

6. Hon. Chief Justice (Ret.) Artemio V. Panganiban, Head of Delegation of the
National Committee of the Philippines

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7. Hon. Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Head of Delegation of the National
Committee of Singapore

8. Hon. Justice Slaikate Wattanapan, Head of Delegation of the National
Committee of Thailand

9. Hon. Ms. Le Thi Kim Thanh, Head of Delegation of the National Committee
of Vietnam

IX. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL

The ALA Secretary General reported on her activities and that of the ALA
President. The Secretary General reported that in the last three years, awareness
of ALA’s existence, role and unique talent pool has significantly grown
significantly. Past ALA President Previously, Chief Justice Hatta Ali , as ALA
President, and past ALA Secretary General Mr. Swandy Halim had , as ALA
Secretary General, enhanced interaction with the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.
In addition, liaison activities have been undertaken with the ASLOM, through
the efforts of Mr. Jeffrey Chan, with the AIPA, through initiatives of its
Secretary General, Mr. Isra Sumthornvut and with the China Law Society,
represented by its Secretary General Mr. Bao Shaokun and Mr. Yin Baohu.

Following Justice Lee Seiu Kin’s insightful paper on “ALA at the Crossroads”,
ALA embarked on a journey soul-searching to explore how it can harness the
longstanding respect, friendship and camaraderie that have been built among
the ALA members through years of interaction in order for ALA to assume a
more meaningful role in ASEAN’s goal to harmonize laws in ASEAN. This
initiative bore concrete results with the conception of two Working Groups
“ALA at the Crossroads” and “Harmonization of the Commercial Laws of
ASEAN Member States” the convening in Manila on 25 March 2017, of the
two Working Groups on “ALA at the Crossroads” and “Harmonization of the
Commercial Laws of ASEAN Member States”.

There has been a significant increase in invitations to the ALA President and
ALA Secretary General to participate as speakers, panelists or as resource
persons in various legal conferences and fora on ASEAN laws. Since the
Governing Council Meeting in Manila in October 2017, the ALA President had
attended a conference in Beijing. The ALA Secretary General had also
attended conferences in Nanning, Jakarta and Singapore on behalf of the ALA
President and in her own capacity as Secretary General.

Participation in the China-ASEAN Jurist Gathering & China-ASEAN Legal
Forum 5-6 December 2017, Nanning, People’s Republic of China

The ALA Secretary General delivered the address of the ALA President
regarding the deepening exchanges and cooperation between China and

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