PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Manet said that problem solving and improving the justice system will be a priority in his first term to help his people and create more harmony in society.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on October 27, the PM said, "The most important thing is to solve and strengthen the justice system and respond to our people to get practical results,” he said. “It is not important what is on paper, but it is important to have a mechanism for it to bear fruit on the ground."

At the meeting, the Council of Ministers approved a draft Royal Decree on "Establishment, Organization and Functioning of the National Authority for Dispute Resolution", which aims build upon existing justice mechanisms and respond to the needs of people in dispute resolutions for civil justice.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Koeut Rith said this new authority would not replace the existing mechanism, but it would provide support to local authorities and other stakeholders to resolve disputes to the people using mediation.

"From a legal point of view, dispute resolution can take place both within and outside the court system, except in some cases where the law sets out the exclusive jurisdiction of the judiciary, such as criminal cases," he said. "Therefore, out-of-court dispute resolution is not new and is also allowed by law."

PM Hun Manet urged that the draft Royal Decree be implemented as soon as possible and increase publicity so that people have a better understanding of the national authority.

Currently, Cambodia has a number of out-of-court dispute resolution mechanisms, such as the Arbitration Council, Labor Dispute Resolution, the Trade Dispute Resolution, and the National Authority for Land Dispute Resolution, along with a number of other regional administrative mechanisms for resolving disputes at the local level.