Solicitor’s office focusing on law and justice sector

THE Public Solicitor’s Office has shifted its focus from the courtroom to the law and justice sector, an official says.
Public Solicitor Leslie Mamu said this during a workshop in Port Moresby involving lawyers from his office who were updated on recent developments and latest challenges in the legal service.
“The management and administration is now shifting its focus out of the courtroom to more on the law and justice sector,” he said.
“We are having this workshop to update our lawyers on latest developments and changes in the legal profession so that we update our skills.”
Mamu said lawyers should not only depend on what they have learnt in the classroom but also to be “receptive” and “open to changes”.
“Our lifestyle and circumstances are continuing to change so as lawyers, we are faced with new legal challenges.”
He said his office provided free legal aid to the public, especially in court. Now, they are going further to identify issues and suggest ideas for better approaches to law.
One of those issues is sorcery accusation-related violence.
A discussion was held following a presentation on the issue by Dr Fiona Hukula of the National Research Institute.
Hukula had reminded the public solicitor of its duty to prevent sorcery-related violence and killings.
The Public Solicitor provides legal representation to all accused persons charged with an “indictable offence” in Papua New Guinea.
The indictable offences are serious criminal cases.
The public solicitor also provides a wide range of legal assistance, advice and drafting of documents under its Civil Section of the Office.
All persons are protected by law and the equal part of this statement of law is that no person or entity is above the law.