Overview of the Branch
The Judicial and Legal Services Commission ('Commission') is a Constitutional entity established by Section 183 of the Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and further provided by the Organic Law on the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to implement Section 183(5) (establishment of the Commission) of the Constitution by making further provision in respect of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. The Commission as an appointing authority is responsible for the appointment, oversight, and discipline of Judicial Officers (Judges and Magistrates) and State Law Officers.
Membership of the Commission
The Membership of the Commission comprises of the:
- Minister for Justice and the Attorney-General, Hon. Pila Niningi CMG LLB MP – Chairman
- Hon. Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika GCL KBE CSM OBE – Member
- Hon. Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi CBE – Member
- Hon. Philip Undialu MP Governor for Hela Province – Member
- Chief Ombudsman Mr. Richard Pagen – Member
- Chief Magistrate Mr. Mark Pupaka CMG – Additional Member
The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General is the Chairman of the Commission. Hence, since the inception of the Commission and as administered and practiced, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) accords to the Commission the Secretariat functions.
Background
For purposes of brief background, the Commission since its establishment in 1983, has been supported by the DJAG with ad hoc staff. Until most recently in 2018, as a result of a Commission Resolution for the proposed establishment of a Judicial and Legal Services Commission Secretariat ('JLSC Secretariat') within the DJAG structure. By implementation of the Commission Resolution, the JLSC Secretariat was formally established in 2019 with the approval and creation of Activity V under the Legal and Policy Division.
Secretariat Composition
The Secretariat comprises of the following DJAG officers:
- Mr. E'ava Geita, Deputy Secretary – Legal and Policy Division and Acting Director – JLSC Secretariat
- Ms. Laura N'drihin – Executive Officer
- Ms. Fiona Pagla – Investigator (JLSC) (currently on Study Leave)
- Ms. Jemimah Taru – Principal Legal Officer (on administrative relief transfer arrangement from the Legal Policy and Governance Branch)