Judges’ appointments renewed, one sworn in

TWO judges had their appointments renewed while one was sworn in as an acting judge yesterday in a ceremony before Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae at Government House.
Justice Jacinta Murray and Justice Paulus Dowa had their appointments renewed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission for 10 years as judges of the Supreme Court and National Court.
Justice Elizabeth Suelip was sworn in as an acting judge of the National Court for 12 months.
Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika said Justice Murray would be based in Lae.
“This is her second term,” he said.
“She had completed her first 10 years serving in Waigani, Mt Hagen and now in Lae.
“She will continue to be based in Lae.”
Justice Dowa is into his first term as a substantive judge.
“He was an acting judge for one year and that acting appointment has lapsed,” Sir Gibbs said.
“Justice Dowa has been a senior lawyer in practice in Mt Hagen.
“His performance in Lae has been exceptional and he has met the requirements for appointment as a substantive judge.”
He said the appointment of Justice Dowa had brought the total number of judges to 45.
“We now have a full complement of judges – 42 substantive judges serving in the Supreme and National Court and three acting judges.”
He said six were female judges.