Aussie lawyers and judges help train PNG law students

SEVENTY-eight students from the Legal Training Institute (LTI) have undergone training in modern commercial litigation practice under a team of judges and lawyers from Queensland Bar Associates and LTI staff.
The students, including 34 women, were taught in areas that included how to apply for court injunctions and how to prepare for trial and mediate on commercial law cases.
This year marked the sixth awareness programme.
So far 600 Papua New Guinea law students have received instructions in commercial law advocacy since the workshop’s inception five years ago – more than half the number of lawyers currently certified for practice in PNG.
It was initiated by Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and Justice Logan in 2013 to help meet PNG’s rapidly growing need for skilled commercial lawyers.
Sir Salamo encouraged the students to consider practising commercial law.
He praised Justice Logan and the Queensland Bar team for volunteering their time and expertise.
Queen’s counsel Mal Varitimos said he saw “great potential” in those who attended the workshop.
He urged them to seize the opportunity to “make a positive contribution to the administration of justice, the rule of law and the people of Papua New Guinea”.
Representing the Australian High Commission, law and justice counsellor Gina Wilson said it was particularly pleasing that an increasing number of women were embarking on a career in law.
The workshop was supported by the Australian government through the justice services and
stability for development programme. The Justice Services and Stability for Development Programme (JSS4D) is a four-year AU$90 million (K213.9mil) programme funded by the Australian government.