Legal Framework
From The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2013
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There are two parallel systems of law operating in Brunei Darussalam: English common law and sharia law. This chapter contains information helpful for navigating the Sultanate’s legal climate, particularly in the context of business. It also includes a legal framework viewpoint from Colin Ong, Managing Partner, Dr Colin Ong Legal Services, and President, Arbitration Association of Brunei Darussalam.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Consistent practice: A look at the nation’s legal rules and statutes
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There are two parallel systems of law operating in Brunei Darussalam. Statutory laws, which regulate mercantile activities and disputes between persons and are generally referred to as the common law system, are based upon English acts-codified law. These courts are also known generally as civil courts and have exclusive jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases in the country. The rules of procedure used in higher courts are based on the pre-1999 practices of the English supreme court.…

Viewpoint

Colin Ong, Managing Partner, Dr Colin Ong Legal Services, and President, Arbitration Association of Brunei Darussalam, on intellectual property
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The year 2012 has been a momentous one for the development of intellectual property law in Brunei Darussalam on several fronts. In order to nurture and protect its fledgling industry of inventors, the Patents Order 2011 was passed and came into force on January 1, 2012, and the former Inventions Act was repealed. Previously, there was no national patent system and patent protection was obtained by way of re-registration of a registered patent from the UK, European Patent Office, Malaysia and Singapore.…