Public Solicitor’s office closed after surge in Covid-19 cases

The National National

THE Office of the Public Solicitor has been closed because of the surge in the Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in Port Moresby.
Public Solicitor Leslie Benjamin Manu said they had to take action and the suspension was to protect employees and people coming to the office from contracting the virus.
But he said it would not affect office operations and legal aid matters. People should communicate with their lawyers via emails and phones regarding such matters.
He said legal aid would only be considered for exceptional cases such as:

  • URGENT restraining orders;
  • PROTECTION orders;
  • URGENT bail applications;
  • APPLICATION and enforcement of human rights where there is an imminent threat of breach.

He said the emergence of the Covid-19 Delta variant and the surge in cases warranted such action to be taken.
The move was recommended by the legal aid committee and management effective from last week until further notice.