28 February 2014

Improving the skills of criminal law lawyers

Papua New Guinea’s public prosecutors and solicitors are developing and refining their skills in presenting criminal cases before the Courts during a workshop in Port Moresby this week.

The Offices of the Public Prosecutor and the Public Solicitor are jointly hosting the workshop on criminal law advocacy with the support of Australia. Public Prosecutor and Public Solicitor lawyers are travelling from all regions of Papua New Guinea to participate.

Queensland judges (Justices Fryberg and Henry) and barristers from the Queensland Bar have travelled to Port Moresby to facilitate the workshop on a pro-bono basis. The workshop uses a “mock” courtroom for lawyers to practise their technique and to receive advice from more senior lawyers.

This is the latest development in the growing relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia to strengthen justice services in Papua New Guinea.

There remain many common areas between Queensland and Papua New Guinea laws and through the assistance of the PNG-Australia Law and Justice Partnership and Australian Attorney-General’s Department, the relationship between the Queensland and PNG agencies is strong.

The Public Prosecutor and the Public Solicitor have both welcomed the assistance of the Australian Government for this event. “The fact that so many provincially-based lawyers have access to this professional development opportunity is only possible due to the strong bond with the Queensland legal community and the financial support of the Australian Government”, said Acting Minister Development Cooperation Mr James Hall from the Australian High Commission.

The Public Prosecutor provides independent prosecution of serious criminal cases, such as offences of homicide, corruption and sexual offences in the Courts. The Public Solicitor defends serious criminal cases and provides legal aid in other areas of law for disadvantaged clients.

The three day workshop concludes on Friday 28 February