Strengthening Legal Synergy: Algeria’s Supreme Court, Customs Directorate Sign Cooperation Agreement

The agreement, signed by Lieutenant General Abdelhafid Bakhouche, Director General of Customs, and Tahar Mamouni, President of the Supreme Court, was concluded during a study day dedicated to “Cassation Appeals in Customs Matters.” The event was attended by the Attorney General of the Supreme Court, representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Finance, and National Defense, and the Constitutional Court, with judicial councils following the proceedings remotely via videoconference.

This newly signed framework sets the stage for a year-round joint action plan, emphasizing experience exchange, legal training, and continuous professional development. The agreement envisions regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions designed to reinforce technical proficiency and legal acumen among both customs and judicial personnel.

In his address, President Mamouni described the agreement as “a cornerstone of collaborative action” between the judiciary and customs institutions, adding:

“This partnership lays the groundwork for addressing all challenges related to the application of customs laws and regulations at the cassation level. We hope this initiative becomes a model for broader institutional cooperation, inspiring other public bodies that play a role akin to the customs administration.”

The study day featured in-depth presentations by senior officials from both institutions, focusing on cassation procedures in customs disputes, judicial precedents, and the role of customs as a privileged civil party in litigation.

Speakers emphasized that cassation appeals empower the Supreme Court to exercise dual oversight—both disciplinary and legal (normative)—over lower court rulings. The disciplinary oversight ensures strict adherence to fundamental procedural rules, while legal oversight guarantees the accurate application of substantive and procedural law. This dual function enables the Court to shape legal doctrine and ensure jurisprudential consistency across the judiciary.

Participants also highlighted the strategic importance of leveraging Supreme Court rulings in customs matters, viewing them as powerful tools for improving customs operations and ensuring the effectiveness of judicial proceedings. These rulings, they argued, serve not merely as isolated resolutions but as authoritative references for interpreting customs regulations, guiding officers in legal classification, and strengthening courtroom advocacy.

However, the discussion also identified challenges—particularly the limited dissemination of judicial decisions, which hampers institutional learning and practical application. This, the speakers stressed, underscores the urgent need to digitize jurisprudence and incorporate it into continuous training programs, thereby deepening collaboration between judicial and customs bodies.

The forum concluded with a series of strategic recommendations, including:

• Creating a digital database of major customs-related judicial precedents;

• Integrating “Customs Jurisprudence” into the core and continuing education programs of customs officers and specialized judges;

• Unifying judicial approaches through consolidated chamber rulings at the Supreme Court for sensitive cases;

• And using judicial precedent as a proactive tool in drafting future legislation to address legal gaps revealed in practice.

Ultimately, the initiative was hailed as a decisive stride toward achieving judicial harmony, reinforcing legal certainty, and enhancing the operational efficiency of customs authorities—an outcome that directly serves the protection of the national economy and the state’s financial interests.