Mr. Nguyễn Văn Tiến, Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court,

Distinguished judges, legal experts, colleagues and partners.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address you at this important workshop. I regret not being with you in person in Can Tho, and thank you for allowing my virtual participation. 

I wish to first acknowledge and thank the Supreme People’s Court for its continued leadership in advancing the development and application of court precedents in Viet Nam. 

I would also like to thank the European Union, for its longstanding partnership in justice and legal reform in Viet Nam through the EU Justice and Legal Empowerment Programme – EU JULE, now in its second Phase.

The leadership and vision of the Court, with the support of international partners, is helping to strengthen a justice system that is more consistent, transparent and responsive to people’s needs.

As Viet Nam advances its broader agenda of legal and institutional reform, the judiciary plays a critical role in ensuring that laws are interpreted and applied consistently, fairly, and effectively. 

Court precedents are the bridge that connects legal provisions to the realities of justice. It is premised on an understanding that 

Similar cases should be treated similarly.

People and businesses should be able to understand how the law is applied.

And they should have confidence that justice is delivered fairly and consistently.

These principles are fundamental to the rule of law, and to the functioning of a strong justice system. Court precedents offer clarity where written laws are silent or ambiguous.

They strengthen transparency in judicial reasoning, and make justice outcomes more predictable.

Ultimately, they build public trust in the justice system. Trust that matters to everyone, from judges to citizens and businesses who rely on the justice system to protect their rights.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Progress over the past decades has been remarkable—with 82 precedents now officially adopted and published. Today’s workshop reflects the Supreme People's Court's commitment to maintain that level of ambition by continuously improving the quality, coherence, and practical relevance of adjudication.

And the quality of precedents depends on meaningful consultation and professional dialogue.

Good precedents are not developed in isolation. They require practical insight, professional exchange, and careful scrutiny. The quality of future precedents will depend on the quality of this dialogue.

Each draft precedent has the potential to shape how similar cases are decided in the future, and has real implications for how the law is understood and applied. 

I understand that over the next two days, you will review close to fifty draft precedents covering civil, commercial, administrative, labour, family, and criminal matters.

This is an ambitious undertaking.  I am particularly pleased to see the broad range of perspectives and practical experience that you all bring to the table today. 

I leave you with a final message: precedents are not only about courts, they are about people and trust.

Public trust is one of the most important foundations of a rule-of-law state, and a cornerstone of Viet Nam's efforts to achieve equal access to justice for all – a pillar of SDG 16.

When judicial reasoning is clear,

when the law is applied consistently,

when people can better anticipate legal outcomes,

And when justice is not only done, but seen to be done consistently across the country, then trust in public institutions grows.

Distinguished participants,

UNDP is honored to continue working alongside the Supreme People's Court and the EU. 

Together, we remain committed to supporting judicial reform and strengthening a justice system that is transparent, accessible, and people-centred, and that contributes to Viet Nam’s broader development goals.

A justice system that serves institutions, but above all, serves people and society.

I wish you productive and substantive discussions and a successful workshop.

Thank you very much!