(From third left) Mr Hayato Yaoita and Mr Akitaka Asambo present the books to Ministry of Justice officials.

Two decades of Laos-Japan collaboration on law distilled as landmark civil, criminal texts launched

The progress of the South-East Asian nation of Laos in strengthening the legal system to protect the rights of citizens, residents and businesses across its jurisdiction has received a major boost with the release of two key texts produced with help from experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The books, titled “Theory of the Penal Code (General Provision)” and “Commentary Book of the Civil Code” were written and completed by the JICA Legal Project in close cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, People’s Supreme Court, Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor, and the National University of Laos.

Mr Nalonglith Norasing from the Ministry of Justice presents the Theory of the Penal Code to other officials in Vientiane recently.

The result of more than 20 years of support from the JICA legal development project, these texts were developed by Lao legal practitioners together with Japanese legal experts, Mr Hayato Yaoita (Penal Code) and Mr Akitaka Asambo (Civil Code).
A ceremony to hand over the books to representatives of the Lao government took place last month.
The books represent a significant step forward in the development of the Lao legal system. They are expected to have a significant positive impact on legal practices throughout Laos, including trials, mediation, research and education etc.
The books will serve as a reference and learning resource freely available to judges, prosecutors, police, judicial officials, lawyers, professors and students at universities and the National Institute of Justice, and others involved in law, including ministries, agencies, and companies.
For practitioners and students who aspire to practice law in Laos, such high quality legal materials will enable improvements in the knowledge and of legal theory and practice.
For those in rural areas, where the law has been more difficult to disseminate, these references will enable more citizens and enforcement authorities to understand and deal with legal issues that arise.
The JICA Legal Project in Laos was launched in 2003. Japanese legal experts including prosecutors and lawyers have been working and providing their advice and support for the development of the rule of law in Laos.
These books represent the culmination of long years of joint efforts as a result of continuous and earnest discussions based on the strong commitment of Lao government representatives and the Japanese experts who have a passion to support Laos.
In doing so, the Lao counterparts have generously accepted JICA experts like family.
These two books, namely a textbook on the Theory of Penal Code (General Provision) and and the Commentary Book of the Civil Code, are tangible evidence of the close friendship and successful collaboration between Laos and Japan.
The Theory of Penal Code (General Provision) revealing the theory underlying the law and applying the law according to the relevant theoretical basis lays a strong foundation for delivering fair and impartial judgements.
Although there have been books that explain articles of the Penal Code itself, no books argued the theory of Penal Code in earnest until now.
The books summarises the result of discussions between judges, prosecutors, lawyers, university professors and more regarding the general theory of the Penal Code that has a relationship with not only each individual criminal act but all crimes in general.
“The Commentary Book of the Civil Code” the Civil Code 2018, is one of the most important fundamental laws in Laos, whose reach impacts the lives and livelihoods of people and businesses including citizens, foreign residents and companies.
The book explains all 630 articles in detail.
Its purpose is to provide explanations and examples, and reference articles in detail, in a 600-page volume.
The completion of this valuable first edition of the book in Laos will be the starting point for the accumulation of knowledge and the development of Civil Code theory.
In addition, this book can be revised in the future with lessons and examples from additional cases added, particularly as Lao legal theory and practice continues to develop.
Completion of the book is a truly historical moment in the development of the rule of law in Laos.
Electronic versions of these books are freely available to the public on the JICA Legal Project facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jica.legal.laos

Textbooks produced by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.	Japanese legal experts (right) give books to representatives of the National University of Laos, Mr Viengvilay Thiengchanhxay.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update May 3, 2023)