The Law Society of Brunei Darussalam recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bar Association of India aimed at enhancing legal cooperation between Brunei and India.
The comprehensive, three-year agreement was formalised in New Delhi during the 35th Presidents of Law Associations in Asia (POLA) Summit, hosted by the Bar Association of India on 28 and 29 August 2025.
The summit serves as a vital annual forum where Asia-Pacific bar leaders convene to address shared challenges, exchange innovative ideas and explore collaborative opportunities that strengthen the legal profession across the region.
This year’s Summit brought together representatives from Bar Associations across the Asia-Pacific region, including the Law Council of Australia, Bar Council of Bhutan, The Law Society of Brunei Darussalam, Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia, New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa, Taiwan Bar Association, Macau Lawyers Association, Malaysian Bar, Association of Mongolian Advocates, All China Lawyers Association, Hong Kong Bar Association, The Law Society of Hong Kong, Nepal Bar Association, Indonesia Advocates Association (PERADI), Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Korean Bar Association, Sabah Law Society, Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Advocates Association of Sarawak, as well as international organisations including the International Bar Association, LAWASIA (The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific), and UIA Union Internationale des Avocats.
Working sessions at the summit included the topics on ‘Courtrooms Without Walls: AI, Social Media, and the Rule of Law’, ‘Between Principles and Enforcement: Rethinking Soft Law and Hard Law in Human Rights’, ‘AI in Legal Practice, Education & Litigation: Preparing for the AI Lawyer Era’ and ‘The Future is Inclusive: Intersectionality and Law Making’.
During the summit, the Law Society of Brunei Darussalam, represented by its President Haji Muhammad Zainidi Haji Abdul Hamid, and the Bar Association of India, represented by its President Prashant Kumar, held a bilateral meeting.
Both parties recognised Brunei’s unique position as a smaller legal jurisdiction offering competitive advantages, including more accessible legal services and cost-effective solutions. This positioning may attract clients seeking quality legal services in Alternative Dispute Resolution at competitive rates in a boutique legal environment.
The newly signed MoU establishes a framework for comprehensive cooperation designed to benefit legal professionals in both jurisdictions. This partnership marks a significant step forward in strengthening legal ties between Brunei and India, providing enhanced opportunities for professional development, knowledge sharing, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
The Law Society of Brunei Darussalam looks forward to working closely with the Bar Association of India to deliver meaningful benefits to the legal professionals in both nations while contributing to the advancement of the rule of law in the Asia-Pacific region.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
