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VISITOR INFORMATION
Legislative Council
Judiciary System
The Legislative Council (LegCo) is Brunei Darussalam’s Parliament which
acts as the official arena for airing and resolving issues or problems within
the country.
First established in 1959, the council held a total of 32 meetings until it was
frozen in 1984 after the country resumed independence. Later in September
2004, the LegCo was revived and the council continued to handle internal issues
and concerns over the next 12 years.
On August 11, 2016, the Department of Councils of State under the Prime
Minister’s Office announced the dissolution of the LegCo. On January 12,
2017, His Majesty commanded the re-establishment of LegCo with new
members sworn in on March 1, 2017. The new members received attention for
being predominantly young, placing emphasis on LegCo’s new angle of youth
involvement, invoking optimism from the local community.
Besides the annual expenditure, the LegCo meetings also discuss relevant and
significant issues for the benefit of the people in a consultation manner carried
out harmoniously.
Brunei Darussalam’s legal system is unique as it implements the English
Common Law and the Islam-ordained Syariah Law simultaneously to preside
over the country’s residents. The two laws are overseen by the Supreme Court
and coexist to administer a system that is well-rounded and fair towards the
nation.
The Attorney General’s Chambers is responsible for overseeing the execution of
the laws and enacting any amendments to existing acts.
The Attorney General’s Chambers revises laws in line with changes of law
pertaining to Intellectual Property Rights, Fisheries Boundaries, Consumer Rights
and Syariah.
To ensure a thorough andmeticulous implementation of the Syariah Law, a group
of specialists spearheaded by the Chief Syar’ie Judge oversees the process.