Justice Robert Lee Lindsay who was sworn in today as a permanent judge of the National and Supreme Court has described his appointment as a humbling appointment.
He was officially sworn in this morning at Government house by Governor General Sir Michael Ogio in the presence of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika and is family.
He said it is not easy to reach such high office and is humbled for the opportunity to serve the judiciary through his permanent appointment.
He has been in practise for 14 years and spent two years as an associate to a judge prior to his appointment.
Justice Lindsay’s appointment is for a term of 10 years and he will be posted to Mt Hagen as the third resident judge.
Other senior Lawyer with Ashurst lawyers William Neil who was also appointed by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission on Feb 5, this year will be sworn into office in the last week of April.
Neil will be posted to Goroka to be the second resident judge. He will replace Justice Hitalai Polume in Goroka who will be transferred to Waigani.
Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia said the appointments are important at this time because the judiciary is embarking on a very expeditious program to bring services closer to the people in the provinces and the rural areas.
He said with the increasing appointment of judicial officers, the judges are posted back to the provinces where they are needed.