District Court, Kerema
PNG's judicial system consists of Village Courts, District Courts and the National Court which is the superior trial court. Magisterial Services (established by section 173(1) of Constitution of Papua New Guinea) administers the District Court system within PNG, and there are 57 District Court establishments across the nation staffed by 88 magistrates and more than 500 court support staff.
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The District Court's key functional jurisdictions include:
The District Court uses formal and informal approaches for settling grievances, particularly in the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Magistrates can also make orders for a community work order to be undertaken by a defendant who has been found guilty. Where mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating factors, the defendant may be placed on probation with conditions for community work and/or payment of compensation. |
Contact: Kerema District Court PO Box 6, Kerema Ph: 648 1267, Fax: 648 1361 Ms Sarah Akia Clerk of Court Ph: 7125 9228 |
Village Courts, Gulf Province
Village Courts are an essential part of PNG's formal court system. They are established under the Village Courts Act 1989 and the Village Court Regulations 1973. There are more than 1,500 Village Courts across the country, supported by over 15,000 officials, including 900 women. Each Village Court has 4-5 Village Magistrates (appointed by the Minister for Justice as judicial officers), 3-4 Peace Officers, and 1 Clerk. Over 90% of people living in PNG have access to a Village Court, which have the jurisdiction to settle local disputes and deal with minor crimes using customary conflict-resolution approaches wherever possible.
Village Courts are the largest provider of restorative justice services in PNG, and are authorised to do the following:
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Contact: Mr Baker Maeva Provincial VC Co-ordinator Kerema, Gulf Provincial Administration Ph: 7382 0739 Gulf Province has 50 Village Courts |
Probation, Parole & Juvenile Justice Services, Kerema
CBC is an agency within the Department of Justice & Attorney General. CBC has offices in every province across PNG and it plays a central role in developing and implementing restorative justice programs throughout the country. It provides members of the community with access to community justice services which include the provision of non-custodial rehabilitation programs for both adult and juvenile offenders. This assists offenders to re-enter society as responsible, productive citizens.
CBC is responsible for:
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Contact: Senior Probation Officer Probation, Parole & Juvenile Justice Services Dept. Of Justice & Attorney General PO Box 92, Kerema, Gulf Province Ph: 348 0958 or 7639 7267 |
Provincial Administration & Dept. for Community Development, Gulf
The Provincial Administrations across PNG have Community Development Branches, which provide services on behalf of the Department of Community Development. The Welfare Officers and Child Protection Officers employed by the Provincial Administration administer the provisions of a number of acts, including the Laukautim Pikinini Act, Deserted wife & Children Act, Marriage Act, National Youth Service Act, and National Council of Women Incorporation Act.
Provincial welfare, gender & child protection officers provide the following services to the public:
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Contact: Ake Maeaoka Youth & Sports Co-ordinator Community Development Branch Provincial Administration PO Box 216, Kerema, Gulf Province Ph: 7343 4353, 72746019 or 7667 0469 |
Catholic Church, Kerema
The Catholic Church of Papua New Guinea is made up of 4 Archdioceses and 15 Dioceses in Vanimo, Altape, Wewak, Lae, Madang, Mt Hagen, Wabag, Mendi, Goroka, Kundiawa, Kavieng, Kimbe, Rabaul, Kerema, Daru, Aloutau, Berina, and Port Moresby. The church runs numerous programs across PNG (regional contact details can be obtained by ringing the Port Moresby numbers below)
The church programs include:
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Contact: Joseph Puaka or Patrick Tava Kerema Diocese Ph: 648 1088, 648 1012 or 6481014 Justice & Peace Ph: 648 1012 Health Secretary Ph: 648 1062 Education Secretary Ph: 648 1088 |
Salvation Army, Gulf Province
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian Church known for its extensive philanthropy and charity work. It is an international movement in over 122 counties, including PNG, where it was established in 1956. The Salvation Army runs numerous programs within PNG with the assistance of numerous volunteers. Its head office is in Port Moresby with a number of branches across the Country.
The Gulf Province branch provides:
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Contact: Major Leo Nalia or Martin Makeu Salvation Army Gulf District PO Box 132, Kerema Ph: 6481384or 7349 8177 Mr Gini Kevin Territorial Coordinator & Juvenile Justice Officer, Ph: 325 5507/22/07 or 7664 7461 Fax: 325 3534 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Caritas Papua New Guinea – Catholic Diocese Kerema
Caritas PNG is an agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) of PNG & Solomon Islands. They promote Integral Human Development of the grassroots citizens of PNG.The mission of Caritas PNG is to take active role in social justice, peace, ecology, and human development issues as part of the pastoral mission of the Church, promote Catholic Social Teaching, address injustice, inequalities, poverty and dependency which undermine human dignity, and be a voice for the poor and marginalized to build a better PNG.
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It operates through main goals: Integral Human Development (IHD), Disaster & Relief Management, Helping the Poor and Marginalized, Research & Advocacy, Child Protection, Gender Equality, Ecological Stewardship & Care of God’s Creation, Democratic Governance.
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Contact: Archbishop John Raibat – Diocesan Caritas Coordinator Kerema Catholic Diocese P O Box 90,Kerema, Gulf Province Ph: 648 1012 Fax: 648 1088/62 Mb: 7663 3125 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
National Youth Development Authority – Kerema, Gulf Province
The National Youth Development Authority is a government agency established to provide policy directives for the youth of PNG. It provides a framework for planning and program development for all agencies and organisations involved in youth development work. Inclusive in its policy area for stakeholders to develop and implement programs is Law Order and Justice with the objectives to promote, maintain safety, security and peace in communities.
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Contact: Mark Avai - Gulf Provincial Administration The Provincial Administrator Gulf Provincial Administration, P.O.Box 89, KEREMA, Gulf Province Ph: 648 1038 Ake Maeaoka Advisor Community Development Gulf Provincial Administration, P.O.Box 87,KEREMA,Gulf Province Mobile:727 46019 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Nohoro Amaroa Director Human Resource Gulf Provincial Administration, P.O.Box 87,KEREMA,Gulf Province Ph:6481037 | Mob:7994 3327 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |