ALA Governing Council Meeting (Jakarta, 19-22 July 2007)

The 28th Governing Council Meeting was held on 21 July 2007 at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, Indonesia. The Meeting considered papers tabled by Mr TPB Menon of Singapore (entitled "Taking ALA To New Heights"), Professor R Rajeswaran of Malaysia (on a student attachment programme within ASEAN) and Professor Myrna S Feliciano of the Philippines (on the publication of an Anniversary Edition of the ASEAN Law Journal). Other matters discussed included the areas for the enhancement of the ALA Website.

Several outcomes were reported and accepted following the meetings of the Standing Committees. It was resolved that the Standing Committee framework would be strengthened so as to be more effective. The Standing Committee on ADR also reported
the establishment of a working committee comprising experienced ADR practitioners from each ALA member country. This working committee would have terms of reference that include -

(a) setting up a suitable system within ALA to accredit ADR practitioners from ALA member countries;
(b) exchange of information and experiences between ALA member countries in relation to out-of-court mediation and court-annexed mediation; and
(c) establishment of an ADR centre for ASEAN countries and a set of common rules on ADR.

The next Governing Council Meeting would be held in Malaysia in July 2008. Among the matters to be discussed at the next meeting are the workshop topics and the dates for the 10th General Assembly, to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2009.