Namibia and South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise cooperation between the two judiciaries.
The agreement was signed by Chief Justice Peter Shivute and his South African counterpart, Mandisa Maya.
Shivute said the memorandum will provide a framework for cooperation between the two institutions.
He said the agreement will allow judges from both countries to attend judicial meetings, conferences and symposiums hosted by either side.
Chief Justice Shivute said the memorandum also provides for the exchange of judges and the sharing of information on developments in the legal sector.
"And likewise, the leadership of the Chief Justice can also send their judges to South Africa to come in and see what we are doing here, so that we can benefit from each other. So we can also exchange judges and exchange information and development in the legal sector, so that both our judiciaries really benefit from this cooperation. So I'm very, very happy, once again, to welcome you to Namibia."
Chief Justice Maya said Namibia and South Africa share historical ties and a history of colonialism and apartheid, and both now operate under constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
She said the two judiciaries have worked together through informal arrangements over the years, including cases in which South African judges travelled to Namibia to adjudicate matters.
Justice Maya said the memorandum signing will formalise that cooperation and extend it beyond ad hoc judicial support.
"I'm happy to point out that I myself, some years ago, when I was still at the Agricult, came to Namibia with two other colleagues to adjudicate a case which none of the local judges could do because it involved a judge of the court, a colleague of theirs. So I got my first foray into this neighbourhood. And many of the judges have come to adjudicate on one occasion or the other. And it is truly my pleasure and honour that I am the one who will speak to the formalisation of this relationship that will extend far beyond borrowing judges here and there."