Chief Justices and global legal luminaries gathered in Singapore for the 2025 Opening Legal Year, marking key advancements in the judiciary and legal profession
The Honourable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Indonesia, Prof. Dr M Sunarto, S.H., M.H., attended the Opening Legal Year (OLY) ceremony in Singapore on Monday, 13 January 2025. The event, hosted by Singapore’s Supreme Court, is an annual tradition among common law jurisdictions to signify the commencement of the judicial calendar.
This year’s OLY ceremony was held at the Supreme Court Hall in Singapore and presided over by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon. Indonesia’s delegation included high-ranking officials such as Justice I Gusti Agung Sumanatha, Justice Syamsul Maarif, Secretary Sugiyanto, Special Staff Dr Aria Suyudi, and ADC Ridzky Putra Bintana. Representatives from Laos, Malaysia, Seychelles, and Australia also participated, alongside international judges from the Singapore International Commercial Court.
Chief Justice Menon delivered a keynote address focused on the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, addressing critical themes such as legal ethics, continuous professional development, and leveraging professional networks. He emphasised the need for a robust ethical foundation and lifelong learning to sustain the legal profession’s integrity amidst evolving challenges.
Additionally, Chief Justice Menon highlighted Singapore’s commitment to international judicial collaboration. He cited achievements from 2024, including the Masterclass Training for Commercial Judges in Asia and the Pacific, co-hosted with Indonesia’s Supreme Court, which drew 70 participants from 17 countries. He also introduced the International Committee of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), established in November 2024, to handle cross-border civil appeals and enhance judicial globalisation.
The event underscored the importance of judicial diplomacy and innovation in addressing contemporary legal challenges while strengthening ties between nations.
