The Royal Degree on “The establishment, organization, and functioning of the National Authority for Alternative Dispute Resolution” came into effect on 2 November 2023 to expedite the resolution of disputes, particularly those affecting local community.

This royal degree is an important legal instrument and a guidance for compiling and making other legal instruments for the development and implementation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) with effectiveness, equality, and inclusiveness. Oxfam warmly welcomes the ministry of justice under the leadership of His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister who shares far-sighted vision on judicial reforms in Cambodia with the aim to efficiently and timely resolve civil disputes and provide justice to disputants.

In mid-January 2024, in response from the request from Oxfam and other civil society organizations, the Ministry of Justice organized a consultative workshop to clarify the role of the national authorities for the Alternative Dispute Resolution and sought collaboration from all the stakeholders to promote a meaningful ADR in the country.

The consultation workshop had 50 participants including indigenous people organizations, local and international organizations, lawyers, development partners and youth group from Royal University of Law and Economy. The workshop included presentations on the new established National Authority body, and proposal to pilot ADR for two target groups, the indigenous and rural community. There was a comprehensive plenary discussion on the royal decree and other key areas presented during the day. The discussion was facilitated by H.E. Keut Rith, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the ADR National Authority and is also the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

“Cambodia’s legal and justice system reform is one of the five priorities of the new government mandate and it will be effectively implemented with the trust from the public,” Said H.E. Rith Keut. He also expressed appreciation for Oxfam’s effort and partnership since the initial phase of collaboration with the Ministry, leading up to the establishment of the national authorities.

Oxfam has been working with the Ministry of Justice since 2020 to bring access to justice services closer to the communities. We hope that the workshop had provided significant and practical inputs to advance a fair society free from poverty and achieve the new government’s pentagon strategic goals.
In early 2013, with the financial support from the European Union, Oxfam and partners worked on a project called EU-Cambodia Co-operation Facility for Governance and Human Rights-ECCF, which supported 240 villages in Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Kratie and Stung Treng provinces. The primary objective was to strengthen the partnership between sub-national authorities and the communities they serve. The project facilitated the establishment of Access to Justice Committees (AJCs) and the provincial-level Cambodia Land and Environment Action Network (CLEAN). The implementation of the project has brought learning and recognition that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are needed to bring accessible justice services closer to the people.

Oxfam will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice to develop and pilot legal instruments, ensuring gender mainstreaming and meaningful participation from civil society organization in the process. We will actively engage with local and international civil society organizations involved in legal and judicial assistance, and together we will contribute to strengthening, improving quality and effectiveness of justice system in Cambodia.