PNG Judiciary

The service began with the a march from the Boreboa Primary school gates at North Waigani, down to the PNG Bible Church, just before Morata.

Judges, Magistrates, lawyers and staff of the National Judiciary and Magisterial services took time off this morning to open the year 2019 with a dedication service led by Rev. Moresby Tunge.

But before that, an inspection of the guards was done by Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika. This is also his first as the head of the judiciary.

In delivering his keynote address, he stressed on discipline and having strong work ethics.

Following his appointment on November 13, Sir Gibbs took his oath into office at the Government house, in the presence of Vanuatu’s Chief Justice, a judge from New Zealand’s Supreme Court and other judges from the PNG Judiciary.  

The longest serving judge of PNG’s National and Supreme Courts was sworn in today as the seventh Chief Justice, for a term of 10 years.

Sir Gibbs Salika is from the South Fly district of Western Province. He was born on August 11 1955.

The judge who served close to two years in Mt Hagen, was also bided farewell on Wednesday this week by the people of Western Highlands and Jiwaka provinces.

Justice Harold Terrence Foulds passed away after a short illness on 17 September 2018, in Mt Hagen, where he served as its third resident judge.

He commenced work with the Commonwealth Attorney General of Australia from 1971 to late 2016, where he dedicated his entire working life to serving the government and people of Australia.

He was sworn into office as a PNG Judge on 19 December 2016.

Due to the sensitivity of the court's works and judicial independence, it was not able to farewell Sir Michael earlier with the others.

Instead, it took opportunity of the ground breaking ceremony of the new Wewak Sub Regional Court Complex at Kreer heights to bid farewell to the father of the nation in his home province - a province of history and heritage as declared by Sir Michael last year.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia expressed the judiciary's appreciation to Sir Michael for his contribution in developing the country's constitution.

From an idea that came about more than 20 years ago during the time of Chief Justice Sir Arnold Amet, the foundation phase of the new building commenced on Friday afternoon with a small but significant ceremony for the judiciary. 

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia officiated the ground breaking ceremony signifying the commencement of the main construction phase valued at K427 million which will culminate three separate courts.

Sir Salamo said the judiciary would like to see the building completed before the APEC meet so it can be commissioned during the event.

Chairman of Judicial and Legal Services Commission Ano Pala announced the resignation of Justice Don Sawong from the National and Supreme Courts of Papua New Guinea.

Justice Sawong’s resignation is effective as of 31 March 2017.

In a press statement dated 12 April and released on April 21, the Minister for Justice and Attorney General, on behalf of the Government of PNG, thanked Justice Sawong for his services to the judiciary.

Justice Sawong’s resignation comes two years short before his current term expires. He has served a total of 19 years as a judge.

The PNG flag at the Waigani National Court house was flown at half-mast today in respect of the late judge who was serving her second term as a judge of the National and Supreme Court at the time of her death, last Friday, Nov 4.

A one-minute silence was done in Justice Panuel Mogish's court room before crime related cases were heard this morning.

Justice Davani was the first female Papua New Guinean judge appointed to the bench in 2001.

PNG’s Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia says PNG’s participation in the sector wide initiatives has seen a wide collaboration and support amongst sector agencies that is now increasing access to judicial and legal services.

“The wide-sector approach has been adopted in several Common Law countries and like PNG, achieved good results.”

He said in order to expand its operations to the provinces, the judiciary has insisted upon and assumed full responsibility over the development of its own court buildings and facilities.

This was the message of the Country's Chief Justice Sir Salami Injia during the opening of the 2016 Legal year service.

Sir Salamo said today's opening marks the commencement of the next 40 years of delivering justice to the people of Papua New Guinea and joint effort is needed by members of the judiciary as well as the joint forces to ensure the rule of law is felt in the country.

He said the only way the Country will move forward is for agencies to get the basics right.