Nov. 5, Manama (BNA): His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, attended the King Hamad Lecture for Neutral Justice opening ceremony today at the Isa Cultural Center on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister attends the inauguration ceremony of the King Hamad Lecture for Neutral Justice
The following speech was given during the event by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister:
“Distinguished guests, Your Highnesses, Your Honors, Your Excellencies,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the King Hamad Lecture for Neutral Justice on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. This is a unique discussion aimed at promoting the values of impartiality and justice.
With the establishment of the Bahrain International Commercial Court and “Global Justice Bay,” a new hub that positions Bahrain as a hub for international legal cooperation and dispute resolution, today is a momentous day for Bahrain. Let me start by expressing my appreciation to our friends and collaborators in the Singaporean government and judiciary, especially Chief Justice Menon and his staff.
This day would not have been possible without your cooperation. We sincerely appreciate your friendship and your belief in the things we are doing together.
Additionally, I want to thank our authorities, judges, and legal professionals for their unrelenting commitment, which has made this goal a reality.
Greetings, Visitors
Every successful economy is built on a single, imperceptible pillar: trust. In turn, justice is the foundation of trust.
And powerful institutions are used to administer justice.
Therefore, institutions—rather than rhetoric—are what guarantee that markets continue to be fair, conflicts are settled amicably, and the rule of law is maintained in times of uncertainty.
When Bahrain started this program, our objective was straightforward: to create a system that effectively administers justice while maintaining integrity. Three basic principles form the foundation of the Bahrain International Commercial Court.
First, prosperity is made possible by justice.
Some claim that regulation limits business and that there is a conflict between law and commerce. Experience, however, demonstrates the opposite.
Uncertainty in contracts prevents trade.
When the law is unpredictable, investments fail.
And without faith, success cannot endure.
Economic growth is fueled by the rule of law, not hindered by it.
Second, independent organizations are trustworthy.
This Court will function as a separate entity. Its judges will be from Bahrain as well as some of the most reputable countries in the globe.
Its independence is a declaration of intent rather than merely a structural characteristic.
This implies that justice will be perceived as impartial, fair, and grounded on principles.
It also implies that with every just judgment made, Bahrain’s and our region’s reputations will improve.
Lastly, and thirdly, justice needs to change with the times.
Today’s global economy is digital, dynamic, and intricately linked.
Conflicts are as cross-border as data. As a result, our legal systems need to be flexible, embracing technology, optimizing procedures, and making sure that the administration of justice keeps up with advancements.
The Bahrain International Commercial Court was created to blend the pace of contemporary business with the accuracy of the law. It will provide efficient and transparent services to both local and global businesses.
Distinguished visitors,
Our islands have been a hub for trade for generations, when traders gathered, ideas came together, and trust served as the medium of exchange.
This Court is an extension of that narrative. Beyond culture and trade, Bahrain’s openness is ingrained in our institutional and legal structures.
Additionally, it shows the world that Bahrain is prepared to contribute to the development of a more stable and equitable international trade system.
Naturally, this trip is merely one more step and has no end. We will keep funding legal education, our judiciary, and the collaborations that uphold greatness. Because justice requires relevance, we shall keep reforming, working together, and innovating. And we’ll keep interacting with other countries, sure that Bahrain’s example may spur development well beyond our boundaries.
Bahrain now has an additional source of strength. And the numerous endeavors that made this possible have contributed to the establishment of an organization that we believe will benefit future generations.”
The Honourable Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore, described the establishment of the Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC) as a historic turning point in institutional justice during his speech at the King Hamad Lecture. The Chief Justice praised His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s visionary leadership in promoting an impartial and independent justice system and bolstering the rule of law.
Chief Justice Menon also emphasized Bahrain and Singapore’s strategic alliance, which resulted in the creation of the BICC in conjunction with the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). The Chief Justice noted Bahrain’s growing role in promoting international legal cooperation and cross-border conflict settlement, praising the country’s status as a regional legal and commercial center.
Chief Justice Menon went on to explain that the three main foundations of impartial justice are institutional independence, procedural agility, and geographic neutrality. Chief Justice Menon emphasized that the BICC upholds these ideals through the application of best international practices in commercial adjudication, a respected multinational bench, and an open legal environment.
Chief Justice Menon finished by thanking the Council for International Dispute Resolution of Bahrain and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their support of this historic endeavor. Chief Justice Menon added that the BICC is currently a pillar of a more stable, rules-based international business system and a beacon of justice.
In order to discuss the effects of new international courts on trade and investment, innovations in cross-border dispute resolution, and the Kingdom of Bahrain’s vision to strengthen its role as a regional hub for commercial justice and global legal collaboration, the King Hamad Forum for Neutral Justice brought together a distinguished group of judges, government officials, international legal experts, and commercial practitioners from more than a dozen countries.
By resolving disputes in accordance with the highest international standards and best practices, collaborating with top international commercial courts, and encouraging the use of contemporary dispute resolution mechanisms in cross-border trade, the BICC will play a crucial role in advancing these goals. Through these initiatives, the Court will strengthen Bahrain’s standing as a reliable hub for commercial justice and legal innovation and increase international trust in the country’s legal system.
There were also a number of high officials present.
