Judicial Section

Chair

The Hon Paul de Jersey AC
Chief Justice of Queensland
Supreme Court Queensland
Chief Justice’s Chambers
George Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
AUSTRALIA
T: 61 7 3247 4279
F: 61 7 3247 4206

Secretary

The Hon Justice John Muir
Judge of Appeal
Supreme Court of Queensland
Judges’ Chambers
Supreme Court of Queensland
PO Box 15167
City East QLD 4002
AUSTRALIA
T: 61 7 3247 4288
F: 61 7 3221 7565
E: justice.muir@courts.qld.gov.au

Background

The Judicial Section was established by resolution in 1973 at the 3rd LAWASIA Biennial Conference in Jakarta. The section had the "general purpose of promoting the administration of justice and the specific purposes of examining the role and function of the judiciary in member countries; assessing the contributions which the judiciary is and should be making to the development of society; discussing questions relating to the administration and independence of the judiciary; and the circulation, examination and discussion of comparative material on these subjects and on conditions of judicial services among the members of the Section."

The Judicial Section commenced a visiting judges program which would enable judges to observe court procedures and administration in different countries in the LAWASIA region.

In 1995, the Judicial Section undertook the major task of organising the 6th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific, meeting at the 14th LAWASIA Biennial Conference in Beijing.

Please click here to go to the Conferences of Chief Justices of Asia & the Pacific page.

The Beijing Statement of Principles

The Beijing Statement of Principles of the Independence of the Judiciary continues to provide a vitally important set of principles for the rule of law and administration of justice throughout the region, and also sets a standard for continued agreement on matters of principle as they effect the judiciary of the region.

Please click here to download a PDF copy of the Beijing Statement of Principles of the Independence of the Judiciary.