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Agency Services

Services provided through the statutory agencies of the Department of Justice & Attorney General include:

  • Legal services to the State supporting the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary.
  • Providing independent prosecution services to the State.
  • Providing accessible legal aid service.
  • Community Justice Services that support community dispute settlement and offender rehabilitation mechanisms.
  • Management of properties of the deceased, the insane and insolvent.
  • Providing effective Law reform.
  • Provision of cost effective support services to the above core responsibilities of the Department. 

CORE FUNCTIONS

State Legal Services

Attorney General

The Attorney General has professional responsibilities under the Constitution and other laws and by virtue of the traditional norms and ethics of the legal profession. He is the Principal Legal Adviser and also has precedence in court over all lawyers except the two other Law Officers, the Public Prosecutor and the Public Solicitor.

State Solicitor

The State Solicitor provides legal advice, clearance services to the State, Provincial and Local Level Governments through their departments and agencies.

Solicitor General

The Solicitor General acts for the State in all civil claims for and against the State.

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch (in the Office of the Attorney General) supports the Attorney General in the discharge of his functional responsibilities as well as dealing with other justice functions such as, Commission of Inquiries, coronial inquests and Power of Mercy.

Public Prosecutor

The Public Prosecutor controls and prosecutes before the Supreme and National Courts and other Courts, and gives leave to other prosecution, and brings, or declines to bring, proceedings under all relevant laws including the leadership code for misconduct in Office by leaders, and grants immunity, and advises all relevant persons or bodies provided for by the Constitution and the Public Prosecutor (Office & Functions) Act.

Public Solicitor

The Office of the Public Solicitor provides legal assistance to persons entitled to legal aid charged with offences that carry a minimum penalty of two years and advice and civil assistance in all courts.

Community Based Corrections Branch 

The Community Based Corrections is responsible for providing, promoting and administering an effective and efficient Community Corrections and Rehabilitation Service. This service is facilitated by legislation relating to probation, parole, juvenile justice, criminal compensation and community work order.

Community Courts Advisory

The Community Courts Advisory Unit is responsible for national Village Courts policy and training standards, establishment of Village Courts and support to Provincial Governments and the Courts and appointments and revocation of appointment of Village Court officials. 

Lands Tribunal

Land Titles Commission

Lands Title Commission deals with application under the Land Registration Act, for decisions as to customary ownership of land. Under this Act also, the Commission exercises appellate jurisdiction. It also deals with application under the Land Tenure Conversion Act. The Act allows customary landowners to register title to customary land. The Commission authorizes the registration of that land.

National Lands Commission

National Lands Commission hears disputes concerning land which is declared to be national land i.e. land alienated from customary tenure, particularly land declared as national land for public purposes. Specifically, the Commission deals with the issue of what payment should be made to the former customary owners, as a result of the conversion of the land from customary ownership, to the ownership of the State.

Constitutional and Law Reform Commission

The Constitutional and Law Reform Commission responds to Ministerial references to review, and make recommendations responsive to the changing needs of PNG society, on the law. The secretariat supports the Commission.

Public Curator 

The Public Curator and Official Trustee provides transparent, timely and cost-effective trusteeship of estates of deceased and insane persons and insolvent estates.


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