Overview
The Division of Law and Justice in West New Britain Province (WNBP) is a mandated replicate of the Department of Justice and Attorney General and is established in accordance with the following legislation:
- Adultery and Enticement Act 1988
- Village Courts Act 1989
- Land Disputes Settlements Act 19
- Juvenile Courts Act 1991
- Parole Act 1991
- Trustees and Executors Act
The Division is structured around creating a safe, secure, and peaceful society by delivering legal, policing, and custodian services in the province. It is guided by the National and Provincial Law and Justice Sector Strategic Framework, which focuses on strengthening the formal legal system while integrating informal (customary) mechanisms via Village Courts and Land Mediation Services.
It focuses on embracing impacted developments such as enhancing infrastructure, legal education, and professional capacity in line with the Department of Justice and Attorney General’s established policies and principles, with other key departmental stakeholders.
Core Functions
The key functions of the Division of Law & Justice include;
- Village Court Administration
- Land Mediations
- Deceased Estates (Public Curators)
- Provincial Parole and Probation
Key Responsibilities
The Division is responsible for:
- Upholding the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism
- Constitutional Supremacy: Ensuring all laws, including customary and statutory law, are consistent with the Constitution.
- Separation of Powers: Maintaining the independence of the judiciary (courts) from the executive and legislative arms of government in the province.
- Judicial Review: Empowering the National and District Courts to review government actions and laws for constitutionality in the province.
- Legal Services and Administration of Justice
- Provincial Legal Advice: Providing legal clearance and advice to the Law-and-Order Committee through the Office of the Executive Manager Law and Justice.
- Litigation Services: Managing civil and criminal claims for and against the province, handled by the Executive Manager Law and Justice.
- Access to Justice: Providing legal aid to the public through the Office of the Executive Manager and facilitating community justice services in the province.
- Restorative Justice and Community Involvement
- Customary Law Integration: Recognizing and utilizing local, traditional, and informal mechanisms for dispute resolution, particularly in rural areas.
- Reconciliation: Focusing on reintegration and restorative justice to rehabilitate offenders and resolve conflicts within communities through Village Courts and Land Mediation Services.
Programs & Services
The Division of Law & Justice delivers the following programs and services;
- Village Courts
Village Courts in the province are a vital, community-based judicial system established under the Village Courts Act 1989 to resolve disputes through mediation, custom, and restorative justice. Some of its key functions in terms of service delivery are to;
- Improve the ability to manage Village Courts Systems in the Province via inspections and awareness.
- Improve Accountability and Promote Good Governance in the Village Courts Systems in the province.
- Improve Access to justice.
- Improve reconciliation, Reintegration and Deterrence.
- Strengthen Community Leadership, Civic Participation, and partnership.
- Modernized village courts infrastructure and built Village Court Houses in selective villages in the province.
- Land Mediations
Land mediation in the Province is mandated by the Land Disputes Settlement Act (Chapter 45) of 1975, serves as the compulsory first stage of a three-tier system (mediation, arbitration, appeal) to resolve customary land disputes. Key functions include facilitating peaceful, amicable, and just settlements between disputing parties, maintaining community harmony, and applying local customs to land issues. Key Functions of Land Mediators in the province are;
- Conflict Resolution: Acting as neutral intermediaries to help disputants reach mutually agreed-upon solutions without immediately resorting to court litigation.
- Promoting Peace and Harmony: Aiming to settle disputes in a way that restores social stability within the community.
- Applying Customary Law: Utilizing knowledge of local customs and traditional laws to guide discussions and find acceptable compromises.
- Facilitating Negotiation: Guiding parties to identify, clarify, and explore issues to reach their own, self-determined decisions.
- Adjourning and Reviewing: Adjourning mediation when necessary to allow for a better chance of a just settlement.
- Initial Stage of Litigation: Serving as the mandatory first step before a case can be referred to a Local Land Court.
- Deceased Estates (Public Curators)
Deceased Estate refers to all real and personal property (money, land, personal items) in the province owned by a person at the time of their death. It must be legally managed, often by the Office of the Public Trustee Officer, to pay debts and distribute assets according to a will or provincial intestacy laws, which prioritize immediate family.
- Provincial Parole and Probation
Probation and Parole provide accountability with rehabilitation, ensuring probationers and parolees are not just monitored but actively supported in becoming productive members of a society. Basically, probation and parole advocates on its service delivery quarterly as follows;
Assessment & Planning
- Conduct risk and needs assessments for all probationers/ parolees.
- Develop individualized supervision and rehabilitation plans.
- Train officers on updated policies, trauma-informed care, and cultural sensitivity.
- Launch community awareness campaigns about probation/ parole services.
- Traveling to LLG’s with PVCOs and VCIs on inspection/ advocacy
Intervention & Support
- Implement vocational training, education, and life-skills workshops.
- Provide access to counseling (substance abuse, anger management, mental health).
- Strengthen family reintegration programs.
- Monitor compliance through regular check-ins, home visits, and electronic monitoring (if applicable).
Community Engagement
- Partner with NGOs, faith-based groups, and local businesses for job placements.
- Organize community service projects led by probationers/parolees.
- Host stakeholder forums to evaluate progress and gather feedback.
- Expand restorative justice initiatives (victim-offender mediation).
- Traveling to LLGs with PVCOs and VCIs on inspection/ advocacy
Evaluation & Reporting
- Review performance indicators (recidivism rates, employment, compliance).
- Publish an annual report for transparency and accountability.
- Recognize successful reintegration stories.
- Adjust policies and programs based on lessons learned.
Structure & Leadership
The division is headed by the Executive Manager, who oversees teams responsible for specific functional areas, including:
- Office Administration
- Village Courts
- Land Mediations
- Deceased Estates (Public Curators)
- Provincial Parole and Probation
Strategic Focus
TheDivision of Law & Justiceis strategically committed to creating a Safe, Secure, and Peaceful Society for all through;
- Delivering Excellent Legal Services in the Province
- Improving Access to Justice
- Upholding the Rule of Law
- Crime Prevention and Community Safety
- Capacity Building
- Strengthening Collaboration with Private, Civil Societies, NGOs and Churches.
Contact Information
For enquiries related to this division, please contact:
Division: Division of Law & Justice
Phone:
Email:
Location: Provincial Headquarters