Supreme court returns to Kavieng after 30 years
The return of Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court to Kavieng after approximately 30 years has marked a significant milestone for access to justice in New Ireland Province, with Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika confirming that a full-time resident judge will be appointed to the province in 2027.
The confirmation came during the ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court premises in Kavieng, attended by senior judicial officers, government representatives and provincial leaders ahead of the scheduled commencement of the five-men bench.
New Ireland Governor Byron Chan welcomed the Court’s presence, describing it as an important step towards bringing justice closer to the people.
Governor Chan said the presence of the country’s highest court would allow New Ireland residents to pursue their legal rights and seek interpretation of the law locally. He also raised concerns over killings, the burning of businesses and other law-and-order issues, expressing hope that the Court’s presence would strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
Acting Deputy Chief Justice Penuel Mogish highlighted the historical significance of the occasion, recalling that the Supreme Court had previously sat in Kavieng around 1986.
Justice Mogish said people from New Ireland and Manus had faced the burden of travelling to Port Moresby for court proceedings. He appealed for a full-time resident judge in Kavieng to reduce travel costs and delays and improve the management of criminal and civil cases.
Responding to Justice Mogish’s appeal, Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika confirmed that a full-time resident judge would be appointed to Kavieng in 2027, restoring a permanent judicial presence in New Ireland.
“We intend to pick it up again next year,” Sir Gibbs said, referring to the previous arrangement of having a judge based in Kavieng.
The Chief Justice also reflected on his first visit to Kavieng in 1980 as a young lawyer, recalling that court facilities were limited to a single courthouse with basic office services.
He acknowledged the improvements made to the Kavieng court premises and said the Judiciary would continue upgrading facilities to meet the country’s growing legal needs.
Sir Gibbs further expressed confidence in Papua New Guinea’s lawyers and judges, stressing the importance of training more legal professionals to strengthen the country’s justice institutions and meet increasing demands for legal services.
The ceremonial opening began with a guard of honour and parade march, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Supreme Court premises.
The scheduled five-men bench- sitting and the confirmed appointment of a resident judge in 2027 will mark important developments in efforts to strengthen judicial services and improve access to justice for the people of New Ireland Province.