SINGAPORE,Feb. 12,2025 -- At the inaugural Singapore-New Zealand Judicial Roundtable that took place in Auckland,New Zealand on 7 February 2025,The Honourable the Chief JusticeSundaresh Menon of Singapore led the discussion on the topic of climate change where he spoke about the development of a bespoke model of justice for climate disputes and the importance of international judicial collaboration in this area.

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (fourth from left) led the delegation from the Supreme Court of Singapore to the inaugural Singapore-New Zealand Judicial Roundtable hosted by Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann of New Zealand (fourth from right). Also in attendance was Singapore High Commissioner to New Zealand Mr William Tan (first from right).

Chief Justice Menon suggested that the traditional adversarial model of civil litigation might often not be best suited to providing the most meaningful resolution of climate disputes,and suggested that climate disputes call for a new model of justice informed by therapeutic justice. Such a model would be a powerful tool for the facilitated resolution of conflict because it would be restorative,holistic,and forward-looking in its approach. Chief Justice Menon also stressed the need for international judicial collaboration in respect of climate disputes,given their cross-jurisdictional elements that may not be able to be resolved by any single jurisdiction alone.

The Roundtable was hosted by the Courts of New Zealand and focused on four topics pertinent to both judiciaries,namely: Access to Justice,Climate Change,Technology and the Courts,and Lifecycle and Wellbeing of the Judge.

Chief Justice Menon said: "I express our deepest gratitude to Chief Justice Winkelmann and her team for hosting this inaugural Roundtable between our two judiciaries. Today,our courts operate within a global environment that is increasingly dynamic and interconnected,and we are likely to be confronted with ever more complex and challenging legal issues that will often transcend jurisdictional boundaries. As we navigate these challenges,platforms like this Roundtable offer an immensely valuable opportunity for us to learn from one another's experiences and perspectives. We had a very fruitful discussion at the Roundtable,and I look forward to many more discussions like these in the future."

Chief Justice Menon also spoke at the Pacific Judicial Conference 2025,which took place in Auckland from 9 to 12 February 2025. The theme for the Conference was "Strengthening the Institution of the Judiciary – Kia Tū Pakari ai te Whare Whakawā". Chief Justice Menon and Justice David Goddard of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand participated in a moderated conversation on "The Future Shape of Courts".

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