The JuSTICE Project, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), supported the Lao People’s Supreme Court (PSC) in organising its first Conference on Administrative Justice on 19-20 November 2025 in Vientiane. The event brought together about 50 participants, comprising senior judges, prosecutors, legal officers, academics, and regional experts from France, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Cambodia.
Over two days, participants engaged in comparative discussions on the foundations and purpose of administrative justice, exploring how different legal traditions define the relationship between public authorities and citizens. Experts shared experiences from their respective jurisdictions, illustrating how administrative justice systems have evolved across the region and highlighting common values such as legality, fairness, and transparency.
The exchange also examined how administrative jurisdictions are structured and organised in various countries. Presenters outlined institutional models from specialised tribunals to multi-tiered administrative courts, and discussed approaches to ensuring impartiality, independence, and effective review of administrative decisions. These reflections encouraged participants to consider practical options relevant to the Lao context.
Another key focus of the event was the handling of cases brought against public authorities. Discussions touched on access to remedies, procedural safeguards, admissibility requirements, and avenues available to citizens to challenge administrative actions. Participants noted the importance of clear procedures and transparent processes to enhance public trust in administrative decision-making.
The conference also addressed how administrative decisions are reasoned and reviewed. Experts emphasised the value of clear and well-structured judgments, noting their essential role in ensuring accountability and supporting effective oversight. In Lao PDR, the People’s Supreme Court has introduced Administrative Chambers at the central and provincial levels as part of its ongoing efforts to develop an administrative justice system.
These chambers form the current institutional structure for reviewing administrative disputes. The development of administrative justice in Lao PDR is underpinned by three key legal instruments: the 2019 National Assembly Standing Committee Resolution No. 15/NASC, which established dedicated Administrative Court Chambers; the Law on Complaints Resolution No. 17/NA of 2022, which provides a broader framework for handling grievances against government decisions; and the Presidential Ordinance on Administrative Proceedings No. 01 of 2021, which sets out procedures for administrative cases handled by the courts and relevant bodies. As the system is still developing, the conference offered a timely opportunity to reflect on practical implementation and to draw on comparative experiences from the region.
By the end of the two-day exchange, participants had deepened their understanding of comparative practices and identified practical insights relevant to ongoing reforms in Lao PDR.
