PNG judge gets appeals role in Solomons court

By CHRISTOPHER YOWAT
THE Judicial Legal Service Commission has appointed Justice Les Gavara-Nanu to the Court of Appeal in the Solomon Islands.
The appointment was made possible through an agreement reached between the judiciaries of the two countries to enhance cooperation.
Commission chairman Davis Steven, the Justice Minister and Attorney-General, made the announcement on Tuesday.
Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia signed the pact with his Solomon Islands counterpart, Sir Albert Palmer, on Aug 22.
Justice Gavara-Nanu will perform judicial functions for the court of appeal in Honiara for one or two weeks every second month.
Steven said the appointment was vital as PNG’s contribution towards the effective dispensation of justice and the rule of law at an international court in the region.
The court of appeal is the highest court in Solomon Islands and comprises judges from Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu.
Steven said the appointment revived the membership of Papua New Guinea in the Solomon Islands’ court of appeal which ceased 20 years ago.
The late Justice Mari Kapi was the first to be appointed to the Solomon Islands courts.
Steven acknowledged the recognition of the Solomon Islands’ government and the confidence it placed on the PNG judiciary in the appointment of Justice Gavara-Nanu.