Seminar on Simulation of Fact-Finding in Civil Procedure
Written by: Manilin Souvannakham | Lao Premier International Law Office
On 23–24 October 2025, I had the honor of representing Lao Premier at the Seminar on the Simulation of Fact-Finding in Civil Procedure, held at the Lao Front for National Development. Below is a summary of our written contribution and reflections on the seminar.
Purpose of the Seminar
The Education and Training Development Group on Civil Law (“ETD Group”) organized this seminar to simulate the fact-finding process in civil procedures for Lao lawyers. The training was conducted based on the Handbook of Fact-Finding in Civil Procedure (2023), which references Civil Procedure Law No. 13/NA, dated 4 July 2012.
Considering the 2024 amendment to the Civil Procedure Law, the ETD Group is undertaking a revision of the handbook to incorporate practical case studies contributed by experienced legal professionals, thereby aligning it with the current procedural framework and practice within the Lao PDR.
Key Topics
There were four key topics presented by the speakers during the seminar, as follows:
- Debt Collection arising from Trading Transactions;
- Debt Collection arising from Loans;
- Request for Eviction or Recovery of Property
- Restitution Claims
Atmosphere of the Seminar
The seminar was attended by numerous legal practitioners, judges, and representatives from relevant governmental and professional institutions, as well as experts from the JICA Project for Promoting Development and Strengthening of the Rule of Law (“J-ROL”). The event was conducted in a highly engaging and constructive atmosphere, characterized by the active exchange of professional insights and practical experiences concerning the fact-finding process in civil procedures. The discussions substantially contributed to enhancing mutual understanding, promoting the exchange of legal knowledge, and reinforcing professional collaboration among members of the Lao legal community.
Summary
Throughout the seminar, the speakers presented and analyzed a series of illustrative case examples designed to encourage participants to apply their legal knowledge to practical scenarios. The session also featured a Japanese legal expert who offered insightful commentary and shared comparative perspectives drawn from Japanese civil proceedings. This cross-jurisdictional exchange of experience significantly enriched the discussions and broadened participants’ understanding of effective fact-finding methodologies.
The seminar concluded with a comprehensive synthesis of key approaches to evidence collection, as well as the formulation of claims and arguments pertinent to judicial consideration in civil cases. Overall, the session provided participants with a deeper and more practical understanding of the fact-finding process and strengthened their capacity to apply procedural law effectively in real-world contexts.