District Court, Milne Bay Province
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.
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: Alotau District Court PO Box 647, Alotau Ph: 641 1477, Fax: 642 1277, CUG:71004225 Misima Court House PO Box 52, Bwagaoia Ph: 634 7417, Fax: 643 7417, CUG:71911261 Losuia Court House PO Box 42, Losuia, CUG: 7191 1260 |
Village Courts, Milne Bay 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:
|
Contact: Mr Ben Mwagwaya Provincial Village Courts Officer Milne Bay Provincial Administration Division of Law and Order, Free Mail Bag, Alotau, Milne Bay Province Ph: 6411264 Fax: 6411761 Milne Bay has 82 Village Courts |
Probation, Parole & Juvenile Justice Services, Milne Bay Province
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:
|
Contact: A/Senior Probation Officer Probation, Parole & Juvenile Justice Services Dept. Of Justice & Attorney General PO Box 201, Alotau, MBP Ph/Fax: 641 1501 |
Provincial Administration & Dept. for Community Development, Milne Bay
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:
|
Contact: Milne Bay Province Community Development Division Family & Social Welfare Services Ph: 641 0384
Ph: Esa'ala 275 6121 Ph: Kiriwina 643 9051 Ph: Misima 643 7426 Ph: Rabaraba 641 1314 |
Catholic Church, Milne Bay Province
The Catholic Church of Papua New Guinea is made up of 4 Archdioceses and 15 Dioceses in Vanimo, Aitape, Wewak, Lae, Madang, Mt Hagen, Wabag, Mendi, Goroka, Kundiawa, Kavieng, Kimbe, Rabaul, Kerema, Daru, Alotau, 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:
|
Contact: Alotau Diocese Health Secretary PH: 641 1095
Youth Office Ph: 641 0875 Sisters of the Immaculate KB Ph: 641 0356 John Mazzocconi Hospital Ph: 641 0703 |
Milne Bay Counselling Service Association
Milne Bay Counselling Services is a PNG based NGO, funded by Donor Agencies. It operates with 5 staff members (3 females and 2 males) and 50+ volunteers based across 4 districts. The service's primary focus is the elimination of violence against women and children.
The Counselling Service:
|
Contact: Mrs. Anna-Latu Dickson Milne Bay Counselling Service Association P O Box 221, ALOTAU, Milne Bay Province Ph: (675) 641 0918 Facsimile: (675 641 0919 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Location: Charles Abel Hwy, SPTE Yard |
Alotau Family Support Centre
The Alotau Family Support Centre is in joint partnership with Milne Bay Counselling Service. Its funding and daily operational costs are covered by the Alotau General Hospital and there is additional funding from UNICEF.
The Alotau FSC is the medical entry-point for victims of family, domestic and sexual violence. After receiving medical care, the patients receive counselling from the Centre as well as appropriate social and legal information. Cases of domestic violence are referred by the Police and many come to the Centre as emergency hospital patients. |
Contact: Alotau Family Support Centre Alotau General Hospital, P O Box 402, ALOTAU Milne Bay Province Ph: 641 1200 / 641 0898 / 348 0235 Fax: 641 0040 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Office of the Public Prosecutor, Alotau
The core function of the Office of the Public Prosecutor (OPP) is the prosecution of matters in the National Courts and criminal appeals in the Supreme Court across PNG. The Public Prosecutor is empowered under the Constitution to control the exercise and performance of the prosecution function of the State. As part of the conduct of prosecutions the OPP has contact with victims of crime.
As part of its prosecution function the OPP provides an information and referral service to victims of crime whose matters are before the National and Supreme Courts. This involves:
The OPP also makes submissions on behalf of the State as to the appropriate penalties that ought to be imposed by the superior courts following a conviction. |
Contact: Ms. Helen Roalakona Office of the Public Prosecutor – Alotau P.O.Box 68, ALOTAU, MBP
Ph – 641 0929 fax- 641 0929, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Caritas Papua New Guinea – Catholic Diocese Alotau
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.
It has 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.
|
Contact: Sr. Paola Orfano – Diocesan Caritas Coordinator Catholic Diocese Alotau P O Box 105,Alotau, Milne Bay Province Ph: 641 1354 Fax: 641 1325 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
National Youth Development Authority – Alotau, Milne Bay 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.
|
Contact: Sunema Bagita Milne Bay Provincial Administration & Comm. Development Office C/D Principal Advisor The Provincial Administrator, Milne Bay Provincial Administration, Free Mail Bag, ALOTAU, Milne Bay Province Office Ph: 641 1069/1192 Fax:641 1761/1402 Ph: 641 0946/0384 (Comm.Dev.) Mobile: 7057 5452 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vickii Wesly Provincial Youth Coordinator Division of Community Development, Milne Bay Ph: 641 0384 Mobile: 71569670 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Livinai Lepani District Community Provincial Officer Division of Community Development, Milne Bay Ph: 641 0384 Mobile:705 81559 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |