Judges’ contract renewal to help reduce workload

By TREVOR WAHUNE
Renewal of two judges’ contracts will help the judiciary with the massive workload it has, acting Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi says.
He said a judge dealt with about 10,000 cases.
Kandakasi said this yesterday after the swearing-in and reappointments of Justice Colin Makail and Justice William Neil at Government House.
The two judges were sworn in before Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, who was acting governor-general in the absence of Sir Bob Dadae and Speaker Job Pomat.
The judicial and legal service commission made the reappointments of the two judges.
Justice Makail renewed his contract for a 10-year term while Justice Neil renewed his contract for a three-year term.
Kandasi said the renewal of the two judges would help in the need for more judges to help carry the load of the judiciary.
“We hope that in the long term, the numbers will be increased to help in the discharge of judicial duties vested in us through the Constitution,” he said. “Unlike other jurisdictions in the world, PNG judges sit on a number of jurisdictions.
“That is the national court, the supreme court, and the service court of appeals from the district court, election petitions, and the leadership tribunals.
“The case load continuously increases, so we only hope that in time, the numbers will increase.
“The aim under the new administration is to see if we can reduce the waiting period.
“To reduce the waiting period is ‘more judges needed’ to assist in this position.” Kandakasi said the aim was to dispose the same number of cases to those that came in.
“Then we will provide good services to our people,” he said.
“The more there is delay, some people die along the way.
“You’ve heard of the phrase, ‘justice delayed is justice denied’.”
Kandakasi said currently, 37 judges were substantive, while four were acting.
“The ceiling is about 40,” he said.
“We will be proposing to the
Government to increase the number.”