ABSTRACT
Brunei gained recognition as a sovereign state in 1984, ending its British protectorate status which had been established in 1888. While Brunei’s Sultan exercises absolute constitutional powers, the legal system of Brunei Darussalam reflects many aspects of the English judicial model, including the ideal of the ‘rule of law’ in its legal administration. The Brunei judiciary is presided over and supervised by the Chief Justice. The hierarchy of courts comprises of: the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Intermediate Court and the Magistrate’s Court. The civil jurisdiction of the Brunei High Court, for example, consists of original jurisdiction and authority similar to that of the Chancery, Family and Queen’s Bench Divisions of the High Court of England. The general management of a company rests with the board of directors, and it is a basic principle of company law that the majority rule prevails.
