PREFACE

[ PREFACE ]

BENCHBOOK FOR TRIAL COURT JUDGES

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has embarked on a Judicial Reform Program which aims to ensure that the judiciary is independent, effective, efficient and worthy of public trust and confidence from the Filipino people. To this end, it has developed an Action Program for Judicial Reform 2001-2006 which details an agenda of changes and challenges expected in the next five years.

In this context, the Supreme Court has undertaken an activity to produce Benchbooks for Judges. The activity has been supported by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) through the Philippines-Australia Governance Facility. The activity was designed to enhance the efficiency, accountability and transparency of the Philippine Judiciary and I believe it will most certainly contribute to the achievement of good governance in the judicial system.

I am pleased that the Australian Government has been able to play a role in this work. I congratulate all those who have been involved and I wish the Supreme Court of the Philippines every success in using the Benchbook to support its reform program.

JOHN BUCKLEY Ambassador