The Supreme Court (SC) is pursuing joint training and academic partnerships with the World Maritime University (WMU) to modernize the country’s admiralty courts and strengthen judicial expertise in maritime law.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez led a high-level delegation to WMU in Malmö, Sweden, where they met with university president Maximo Mejia Jr. and senior faculty to explore long-term collaboration in maritime legal education.

Under the proposed partnership, Filipino judges and legal practitioners will be sent to WMU for postgraduate and specialized training programs. The university may also provide technical assistance in digitalizing court systems and improving the operations of designated admiralty courts in the Philippines.

“These partnerships will help align our maritime judicial practices with international standards and improve access to justice in maritime-related disputes,” Gesmundo said.

Since issuing the Rules of Procedure for Admiralty Cases in 2019, the Supreme Court has designated several regional trial courts to handle maritime disputes. However, Gesmundo stressed the need for continuous training to keep up with emerging challenges in the maritime sector.

WMU professors, including Dr. Aref Fakhry and Dr. María Carolina Romero Lares, highlighted the increasing use of digital evidence, satellite data, and virtual hearings to enhance maritime litigation. They also discussed trends in global maritime arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.

Founded by the International Maritime Organization, WMU offers advanced education in maritime law, policy, and governance. Gesmundo described it as an “invaluable resource” for the Philippines, which has one of the largest maritime labor forces in the world and vast ocean territories.