Legal Education:
Potential Collaboration
Between Indonesia and Thailand
Amzulian Rifai
Dean
Law School
Sriwijaya University
Indonesia and Thailand: “original” state members
of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Moral Obligation----- THINK ASEAN
Indonesia
Thailand
“Similarities”
 Cultures
 Proud of National Language
 “Legal Problems”
(we are brothers)
“Legal Problems”
Law Enforcement
Legal Education
Legal Education
Our Personal Experience
 Law Faculty is not the first choice (changing)
 Lack of International Experience
 English is not the first language
International Cooperation is Crucial
FOCUS In the past FOUR (CRISU-CUPT)
Conferences:
 Global Warming
 Disaster Management
 Alternative Energy
 Biotechnology
 Nanotechnology
5th Conference: Law Faculty with a plan of action
Legal Education:
Potential Collaboration
1. Joint Legal Research and publication
Legal “international” research and publication are poor.
Law schools of two countries could work together to
strengthen their skill
Social Science Publication (1996-2008):
Indonesia and Thailand combine
: 1,248
Singapore alone
: 2,351
2. Exchange Program for scholars and students
International experience is important for academic
staffs for both countries. There should be a program
where staffs and students have opportunity to stay
for a period of time.
3. A Moot Court competition
A moot court is an activity in which participants take
part in simulated court proceedings, usually to include
drafting briefs and participating in oral argument.
Moot court does not involve actual testimony by
witnesses or the presentation of evidence, but is
focused solely on the application of the law to a
common set of evidentiary assumptions to which the
competitors must be introduced.
4. Legal Opinion Competition
Legal Opinion is the legal document stating the reasons
for a judicial decision (A Lawyer crucial skill)
Law schools may have joint program organizing legal
opinion competition for Indonesia and Thai law students.
It is hoped that this competition will improve the students’
skill in analyzing legal documents.
Challenges
1. Different Legal System
Indonesia’s legal system reflects its pre-colonial,
colonial and post-independence history and
multicultural diversity.
The Indonesian legal system based on Roman Dutch
law, customary law, and Islamic law.
After Indonesia declared independence in 1945, the
Indonesian government began establishing a national
legal system based on cultures and justice.
2. Language
English is not an official language for most law schools
in both countries
Legal English required high standard of English,
especially in conducting international research,
publication and Moot Court Competition
Conclusion
Beside the challenges, Indonesia and Thailand Law Schools
share common interest and responsibilty in order to improve
the quality of students and lecturers of both countries.
Those challenges can be faced if the people of two nations
have both commitment and the ability to identify the
challenges and prepare to approach them.
Dean of Law schools of both countries should come with a
plan of action (further discussion is needed)...