Macau and mainland update agreement on judicial cooperation

The government of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China have signed an amendment to an agreement that allows for the sharing of judicial documents and evidence in civil and commercial court cases.

Among the most significant changes is the option for the electronic transmission of documents on judicial cooperation, via the establishment of a network platform for judicial cooperation between the mainland and the Macau SAR.

The amendment also grants the authorization to Intermediate People’s Courts and basic-level courts on the mainland – particularly those basic courts within the mainland cities constituting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) – to apply directly to Macau’s Court of Final Appeal for the service of judicial documents, as well as the option for inclusion of video or audio recordings as testimony.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, held on January 14 at the government’s headquarters, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, André Cheong said, “the amended agreement is a significant step towards the realization of the aspirations laid out by President Xi Jinping – during his December visit to Macau – [namely on] enhancing the effectiveness of legal cooperation in civil and commercial matters within the GBA.”

Representing mainland judicial authorities, Yang Wanming, vice-president of the Supreme People’s Court, said that the amended agreement was an important measure to deepen judicial cooperation using information technology, and would minimize costs stemming from judicial cooperation, thereby safeguarding and guaranteeing the legitimate rights and interests of the parties involved.

This new version of the agreement originally signed in 2001 will become effective from March 1. RM