PHILJA Chancellor and retired SC Associate Justice Rosmari D. Carandang opened the session, noting the wide-ranging topics for the two-day knowledge exchange: from technical aspects of adjudicating to the human and institutional challenges judges face.

Justice Singh, in her keynote message, recalled the 2024 study visit of SC officials to Melbourne, where Philippine pilot Regional Court Managers observed the Australian court system first-hand:

“That was the opportunity for the Philippines to bring over our pilot Regional Court Managers to Melbourne to personally view the processes and how the systems work in the Federal Courts of Australia, and to interact with their principal administrative personnel and officials.”

Justice Singh also mentioned that the Philippine Torrens system was modeled after Australia’s. Although it was created to guarantee the indefeasibility of land titles, titles in the Philippines still face numerous challenges in court. She noted that a delegation led by SC Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa recently visited Australia to study its fully digitalized and more fraud-resistant titling system. She expressed optimism that, with the FCA’s support, the Philippines may implement similar reforms within the next five years.

FCA Chief Justice Mortimer, in her keynote, shared how both courts face similar concerns: “not enough resources, dealing with high-conflict and high-stakes situations, the need to remain impartial and independent, to have courage in the discharge of our judicial function, the need to retain and develop our expertise in the law we apply.” She expressed hope that “we can provide each other with real support and encouragement in the judicial task.”

Other speakers included PHILJA professorial lecturer and ALS professor Atty. Luisa Isabel L. Rosales, Manila Adventist College School of Law and Jurisprudence Dean Tranquil Gervacio S. Salvador III, and FCA Justice Thawley who discussed class action suits.

Breakout sessions gave participants the opportunity to delve into key aspects of class actions, including case management planning, completing class actions, communications with class members, and settlement procedures. After the group discussions, participants reconvened to share their insights and present their initial draft entries for the Philippine Benchbook on Multiparty Litigation.

In the afternoon, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Maria Rowena Modesto-San Pedro and FCA Justice Burley delivered presentations on emerging issues and developments in intellectual property law in the Philippines and Australia, respectively. Following the presentations, Court of Appeals Associate Justice Wilhelmina B. Jorge-Wagan and Executive Judge Romeo D. Tagra of Branch 273, RTC, Marikina City, offered their reflections and responses.

Day 4: Knowledge Exchange on Native Titles and Admiralty Law

On the fourth day, FCA administrative officials joined the rest of the delegation in Tagaytay City. FCA Chief Justice Mortimer and Dean Sedfrey M. Candelaria, PHILJA Chief of the Research, Publications, and Linkages Office, presented the legal frameworks on native title in Australia and the Philippines. Senior Associate Justice Leonen and Professor Anthony Charlemagne C. Yu, Chair of the PHILJA Constitutional Law Department, also shared their perspectives.

The afternoon session focused on admiralty law, with presentations from FCA Justice Derrington; Judge Virgilio V. Macaraig, Branch 37, RTC, Manila City; and Atty. Lee Edson P. Yarcia, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Law, who offered a comparative synthesis of laws in their respective countries.

In his closing remarks, PHILJA Vice Chancellor and retired SC Associate Justice Edgardo L. De Los Santos remarked that the event provided the opportunity to learn from one another and strengthen judicial cooperation between both countries.

Day 5: Courtesy Call and Presentations

The study visit ended with a courtesy call on Senior Associate Justice Leonen and the Members of the Court at Shangri-la The Fort. The Supreme Court provided updates on digital transformation, administrative modernization, and media and communication strategies.

Presenters included SC Associate Justice Villanueva, on the OCA’s modernization; SC Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Technology Officer, Atty. Jed Sherwin G. Uy on the SC’s digital transformation; SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting on the SC’s on the SC’s best practices in media relations; and Atty. Michael Jobert I. Navallo on managing communications.