Lawyers encouraged to promote, uphold justice

LAWYERS in Papua New Guinea are obliged to promote and uphold justice and the rule of law, says Commonwealth Lawyers Association council member for PNG David Denniston.
Denniston said the association had supported the march for the rule of law organised by lawyers last Friday in Port Moresby, as it raised awareness on the difference an improved rule of law could make to the quality of life in the country.
“Every person has the right to the full protection of the law, by the Supreme Court or National Court, by its own initiative or on the application by the law officers of PNG,” he said.
Denniston said the march last week placed the PNG Law Society where it should be – as an instrument for the rule of law.
He said an independent and organised legal profession was an essential component in the protection of the rule of law.
“The world justice project’s evidence-based research, as published in its Rule of law Index, shows that effective rule of law reduces corruption, combats poverty and disease, and protects people from injustice,” Denniston said.
“Discussions are being held in PNG this year to extend the index to PNG and the other countries in the Pacific.”
Denniston said the rule of law concerned everyone and that everyone had a responsibility to it, especially those in government offices.
He added that government officers were expected to apply the principles of good administrative decision-making in a timely manner and follow the law when performing their duties.