Background
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JUDICIAL ASSISTANCE TO BRUNEI
Malaysia.
In 1963 Brunei made a decision not to join
Prior to that Brunei had been served by the
Unified Judiciary of North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei.
After independence, the only professionally qualified
officer left in Brunei was a magistrate and the practice of
sending judges from Hong Kong started in 1964.
2.
In 1964 the Sultan appointed the then Chief
Justice of Hong Kong, in his personal capacity, as Chief
Justice of Brunei. At the same time, agreement was reached
between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Sultan,
with the concurrence of the Hong Kong Government, that, when
required, members of the Hong Kong Judiciary would be
appointed to act as Commissioners of the Supreme Court of
Brunei. The arrangement was formalised in 1979 by an
exchange of notes between the Government of the United
Kingdom and the Sultan of Brunei. There was a further
exchange of notes confirming the arrangements shortly before
Brunei obtained its independence in 1984.
Financial Arrangements
3.
The Government of Brunei pays to the Hong Kong
Government full salary, on-costs and return air-fares for
judges seconded to Brunei and, in addition, provides
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