Judge outlines strategy to reduce backlogs of cases

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By DAPHNE WANI
THE volume of cases before the courts makes it impractical to have the backlogs completed quickly, says Waigani National Court judge Justice Panuel Mogish.
Justice Mogish, who presides over cases listed under the criminal track for NCD and Central, said the court discouraged cases to be adjourned more than four times.
He told lawyers and parties in court yesterday that “given this limitation, the court strives to dispose of cases according to the dates of committal and within a reasonable time”.
He told lawyers appearing before him yesterday that “notice of appearance must be filed one month after the first directions hearing”.
“Pre-trial review statement must be filed within two months after the first directions hearing,” he said.
Justice Mogish said lawyers and their clients were expected to observe the requirements to assist the court prepare their cases for trial within a reasonable time.
He made the comment when he listed the case of two police officers, Jacklyn Tanda and Joshua Yawinja, charged with unlawful deprivation of liberty of a woman in Port Moresby in 2015 as a priority matter for trial in June.
The co-accused were committed for trial on Aug 15, 2016.
Tanda and Yawinja were alleged to have forced the victim to chew and swallow condoms which they gave to the victim when they apprehended her on Dec, 22, 2015.
Both will return to court on June 4 for listing to confirm a date for their trial.